The Los Angeles Rams were able to agree to terms with Matthew Stafford to bring him back for 2025, but it was definitely a sticky situation for the time being.
Stafford is 37 years old, so the Rams will still have to think about their future at quarterback in spite of the fact that the Super Bowl champion is returning, but an NFL executive has delivered a rather shocking statement on Los Angeles’ quarterback situation. He thinks the Rams like Jimmy Garoppolo.
“I think secretly they have faith in Jimmy Garoppolo,” the exec said, via Mike Sando of The Athletic. “You don’t mess around with your starting quarterback unless you are confident in the other guy.”
Is that really the case? Is Los Angeles seriously viewing Garoppolo as a potential answer under center if Stafford isn’t around much longer?
Given that Garoppolo is 33 years old and does not exactly have a great track record as a starter (at least in recent years), it doesn’t really seem to add up.
It would actually make more sense for the Rams to draft a quarterback within the first three rounds this month and try to groom him for the future rather than try and rely on Garoppolo.
Perhaps the exec simply meant that LA has faith in Garoppolo as a backup next season, because that definitely is more sensible than expecting the Eastern Illinois product to succeed Stafford once he retires.
Los Angeles signed Garoppolo last year. He made one start for the Rams in 2024, going 27-for-41 with 334 yards, a couple of touchdowns and an interception. The year prior, he totaled 1,205 yards, seven touchdowns and nine picks in seven appearances and six starts for the Las Vegas Raiders.
It seems odd that we are discussing Los Angeles’ questionable circumstances under center given that the Rams are viewed as potential championship contenders heading into 2025, but it’s that point of the offseason, I guess.
