The Los Angeles Rams are running things back with Matthew Stafford for at least one more year, with the team announcing that the quarterback agreed to terms on a restructured contract for the 2025 NFL season. Now, Sean McVay hopes the front office can get another deal done.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, McVay let everyone know that he wants Jimmy Garoppolo to stay in Los Angeles, where the quarterback spent the 2024 NFL season as Stafford‘s backup. It won’t be easy, but the coach would love to have the same QB room as last year.
“We would love to bring him back,” McVay said, via Pro Football Talk. “I obviously have been very busy working through the Matthew [Stafford] situation. That’s the hope and anticipation.
“Now, you guys know that there might be some other interest and Jimmy’s earned the right to be able to have that type of interest. But yes, if you said, would I want Jimmy back here to be able to work in the quarterback room with [quarterbacks coach] Dave Ragone and Matthew and those guys? The answer is absolutely yes.”
Garoppolo’s 2024 NFL season with McVay’s Rams as Stafford’s backup
Garoppolo, 33, had one start with the Rams when McVay rested Stafford and other starters in the 2024 NFL regular season finale against the Seattle Seahawks. The Rams lost that game 25-30, but Jimmy G made an impression by going 27-of-41 for 334 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
Before the Rams announced Stafford’s continuity, NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic claimed on her “Scoop City” podcast that McVay was comfortable with Garoppolo being QB1 in the event Stafford left.
“Here’s what I know: The Rams are comfortable with Jimmy Garoppolo. So, Jimmy will be a free agent, I expect them to sign Jimmy,” Russini said, via Rams Wire. “I can tell you the Rams feel good about Jimmy Garoppolo. They do. And I don’t think this is a leverage play. I don’t think this is them daring Matthew to walk. They’ve seen enough from him in the offseason, in practice, to feel comfortable.”
Garoppolo to test his options in free agency
Garoppolo arrived in LA after a disappointing year with the Las Vegas Raiders, who benched him after six games in the 2023 NFL season. Before that, he spent six fruitful years with the San Francisco 49ers, which included a trip to the Super Bowl in 2019-20.
A second-round pick out of Eastern Illinois in the 2014 NFL Draft, Garoppolo spent his first years working behind Tom Brady on the New England Patriots, where he earned two Super Bowl rings.
This offseason, the quarterback will be able to explore his options in the open market to see if there’s a chance to compete for a starting spot elsewhere. With Garoppolo turning 34 in November, it would make sense for him to search that kind of opportunity before settling with being Stafford’s backup for another year. Of course, if the Rams ultimately convince him to come back, McVay wouldn’t need to worry about the quarterback position.