“People make some of the connections with Kirk,” McVay said n PFT Live. “If it doesn’t work out with Jimmy, that’s definitely something that — Kirk is as influential as anybody in helping me get to L.A. in the first place.

“I know he’s got some other options and some other suitors, but Jimmy and Kirk are guys that I’d love to have back with us.”

McVay and Cousins worked together for three seasons with the then-Washington Redskins. During that time, they helped lead the team to an NFC East division title in 2015 under head coach Jay Gruden.

Stafford’s only backup

After several seasons serving as Matthew Stafford’s primary backup, Jimmy Garoppolo entered free agency, leaving his future in the league uncertain. What will Sean McVay do next to cover his star quarterback?

For now, the only player listed in the QB room ready to take the field if needed is Stetson Bennett IV. With plenty of time before the start of a new season, it would make sense for the Los Angeles Rams to add a higher-profile player to also join this roster.

Davante Adams stays with the Rams

Although the Los Angeles Rams had shown interest in A.J. Brown, that would have inevitably required a move involving Davante Adams. McVay ultimately decided to keep one of his primary receivers.

“We have discussions all the time. I wouldn’t say discussed — we really talked about some different avenues of onboarding other players and how it might affect Davante,” the head coach said.

“I’ve talked with Davante about that, and if we felt like it was best for our team, we would’ve done that. But we didn’t think it was best for our team. So, excited about being able to move forward with him.“

What will Jimmy Garoppolo do?

Garoppolo is expected to seek a deal worth roughly $3 million annually, similar to the one-year, $3.005 million contract he played under last season. Having attempted zero passes during the 2025 regular season, he will likely have to settle for a high-end backup position rather than a guaranteed QB1 slot on the open market.

Jimmy Garoppolo served as Stafford’s primary backup until just a few weeks ago, and in a matter of days, he will become a free agent. Will the Rams look for a new face at the position? Judging by the head coach’s remarks, it would appear not.

“I love Jimmy. I would absolutely want him back. I did see those reports too on [Cardinals coach] Mike [LaFleur] trying to steal our guy, but no, Jimmy’s a really good player and so we would love him back,” McVay said to the press about Garoppolo.

“I’m sure he’ll have multiple opportunities and then we’ll see where we’re at. He’s been tremendous for the last couple of years. We’ve loved everything he’s about. You guys know how I feel about him when we’ve spoken about him and we would love him back.

“I’m also not naive to the fact that he’ll probably have a lot of opportunities and if those are things that he wants to pursue that give him a chance to play, I would understand that.”

Potential landing spots for Garoppolo

Several teams are searching for an experienced quarterback for next season, and Garoppolo is an interesting name to fill that role. With plenty of experience that includes a Super Bowl and an NFC Championship Game appearance as the San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback, he could provide insurance for teams needing reliable depth at the position.

His short-term options could be multiple: restructure his contract with the Los Angeles Rams and continue as Matthew Stafford’s backup, or seek a new destination. The Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets are among the teams that could be in the market for a quarterback with credentials, and Garoppolo could comfortably fit into their schemes.

Per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, free agent Jimmy Garoppolo is a strong option to join the Cardinals. New HC Mike LaFleur was the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, so he has a close connection with former Rams QB, Jimmy Garoppolo.

According to Fowler, LaFleur views Garoppolo as “his guy,“ so given that he is a free agent, the Cardinals could actually see Garoppolo as a reliable, cheap QB1 to transition to the post-Kyler Murray days.

Garoppolo is quite different than Murray

While many might say Murray is more talented and a better quarterback, the fact is Garoppolo has a way more successful career than Murray up to this point. Murray has a 38-48-1 career record and only one playoff appearance. As for Garoppolo he has a career 43-21 record, and with him as a starter, he went to a Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers, as well as an NFC Championship Game.

Garoppolo is more of a pocket passer, quick processor, and steady quarterback. Murray is quite the opposite, he is a mobile, undersized, speedy quarterback with an educated arm. Still, both have practically a 2/1 TD-to-INT ratio. However, LaFleur might be eager to get Garoppolo because of their story and his style.

Garoppolo hasn’t played much in the last few years

The last couple of years, Garoppolo has been the backup of Matthew Stafford on the Los Angeles Rams. He has only started one game during that span, in a losing game where he threw for 334 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Before that, he only played seven games for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023. He ended up losing the job to Aidan O’Connell. Hence, Garoppolo might need to revamp his reputation too.

It seems like only a matter of time before Tua Tagovailoa is out in Miami. The club recently released Tyreek Hill, creating cap space and potentially signaling the beginning of a rebuild that could continue with Tagovailoa’s departure.

In recent days, Malik Willis — currently the backup to Jordan Love with the Green Bay Packers — has emerged as a potential option to replace Tua. However, the Dolphins may instead pursue a veteran quarterback who has won two Super Bowls in his career.

Report: Dolphins linked to two-time Super Bowl champion to replace Tua Tagovailoa

Malik Willis has become a highly sought-after candidate for several teams. According to Spotrac, he could command around $36 million per season on his next contract, with the Dolphins viewed as a potential landing spot.

However, another option has now emerged for Miami. According to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, Jimmy Garoppolo, who spent the past two years with the Los Angeles Rams, has been identified as a strong candidate to replace Tagovailoa for the 2026 NFL season.

“Another name that I’m told to keep an eye on, Jimmy Garoppolo, who has a lot of experience with their offensive coordinator [Bobby] Slowik,” Cameron Wolfe said. “Maybe he’s a less expensive option for them in free agency.”

Jimmy Garoppolo would be a short-term solution for Miami

Both Malik Willis and Jimmy Garoppolo are expected to hit free agency soon. However, Willis appears to be more of a long-term solution, while Garoppolo would likely be viewed as a short-term option due to their age difference.

Willis is 26 and is widely regarded as a quarterback with solid starter potential. Garoppolo, 34, has won two Super Bowls in his career but has struggled to remain a consistent starting quarterback since his time with the San Francisco 49ers.

The Raiders have struggled to be a competitive team in recent years. Despite multiple front office changes and high-profile acquisitions, none of the moves have delivered the results fans expected.

In 2022, the Raiders made a big splash by trading for Davante Adams. However, his time in Las Vegas fell well short of expectations, and though he has since moved on, Adams hasn’t forgotten what he experienced in Silver and Black.

Davante Adams makes shocking revelation about his time with the Raiders

When the Raiders traded for Davante Adams from the Packers, many expected Las Vegas to develop a high-powered offense and contend in the AFC. But reality turned out very different.

With Derek Carr dealing with multiple injuries, Adams never had the chance to consistently perform at an elite level. Just one year later, Carr left for the Saints, and the Raiders brought in Jimmy Garoppolo to lead the offense.

Although Garoppolo and Adams showed flashes of chemistry, the pairing never truly lived up to the hype. Midway through the season, Adams was traded to the New York Jets to reunite with Aaron Rodgers—but fate had other plans for the future.

This offseason, Adams signed with the Los Angeles Rams, where he was reunited once again with Jimmy Garoppolo, who joined the team in 2024. Upon his arrival, Adams expressed gratitude for getting out of Las Vegas—and didn’t hold back in criticizing the Raiders for their poor decision-making and lack of direction.

“I love Jimmy. It was never a personal thing,” Adams said on Sedano & Kap. “It’s been amazing, we’ve gotten to catch up and get on the same page. Obviously that was just a dark moment in all of our lives. I think all of us were pretty miserable over there. We kind of caught up and laughed about it, and we’ve been making plays since we’ve been here.”

Why didn’t Davante Adams follow Aaron Rodgers to the Pittsburgh Steelers?

When both Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers hit free agency, many expected the longtime duo to reunite once more. However, they ultimately went in different directions: Rodgers signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Adams chose the Los Angeles Rams.

According to reports, Adams grew frustrated with Rodgers’ delayed decision on choosing a new team. Wanting to secure his future, he opted for the Rams—drawn in not only by the opportunity to start fresh but also by the presence of a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Matthew Stafford.

Matthew Stafford is not participating at the Los Angeles Rams training camp right now. He is dealing with a back injury that has him in a week to week status. Therefore, Sean McVay has been training with NFL veteran Jimmy Garoppolo as the starter.

However, McVay is thrilled to have Jimmy G on the roster. “I think Jimmy Garoppolo is a starting quarterback,” McVay told reporters. “Obviously, we feel so fortunate to have somebody like Matthew leading the way, but Jimmy’s done a great job. I think he’s shown good command the first couple days. I’ve always thought he was a high-caliber player.”

After all, Garoppolo has been to a Super Bowl before and has trained with the likes of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. He knows what he is doing. McVay, who is also a very smart coach, will see how having Garoppolo as backup is a luxury.

Garoppolo has been heavily underestimated his whole career

Garoppolo came to the league with not that much hype, but when Tom Brady got injured, he got his shot. San Francisco traded for him and he had a 5-0 start to his career at The Bay. A couple of years later, he was guiding the 49ers to a Super Bowl leading the NFL in game-winning drives.

Garoppolo has a career record of 43 wins to 21 losses, a 67.4 passing completion percentage, 96 touchdowns to 52 interceptions and a Super Bowl trip. However, he’s never being widely respected as a quarterback. Whether it’s because of his good looks or the coaches he’s played for, Jimmy G has plenty of doubters.

McVay trusts him

Does Jimmy G has many doubters? Yes. McVay is not one of them, he knows Garoppolo can be useful in his scheme. McVay’s offense runs a highly quarterback-friendly playbook that Garoppolo could easily exploit. In the end, he played in the Kyle Shanahan system, which is also QB-friendly but a bit more developed than McVay’s.

The Rams still want Stafford back, of course. He is a top-tier level signal-caller and has guided this team to a Super Bowl win already. But, if he suffers any setbacks, McVay seems to think they are still in a good spot to challenge the rest of the NFL.

From his humble beginnings in Illinois to becoming a central figure in the NFL, Jimmy Garoppolo has traveled a path full of challenges and triumphs, showcasing his professionalism and dedication to the sport.

After shining with popular teams like the New England Patriots and the San Francisco 49ers, his stint with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023 was marked by injuries and a suspension that kept him off the field for two games.

However, his story took a new turn in March 2024 when the Los Angeles Rams offered him a one-year contract, with a base salary of millions of dollars and the potential to earn high figures through incentives.

What is Jimmy Garoppolo’s net worth?

The talented Rams quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, has accumulated a growing fortune, and according to sources like Sportskeeda, his current net worth is estimated at $55 million as of early 2025.

This wealth primarily comes from his NFL career, including a notable 137.5 million dollar contract signed with the San Francisco 49ers in 2018, as Celebrity Net Worth and Marca reported.

In 2024, he signed a one-year contract with the Rams for $3.18 million, which includes a signing bonus of $1.97 million. Despite challenges such as injuries and a suspension that same year, his financial portfolio remains robust.

What sets him apart from other athletes is his ability to balance success on the field with life outside the NFL. His serious approach to his career and his ability to stay at the forefront of personal branding have allowed him to remain relevant.

Jimmy Garoppolo’s career earnings over the years

Las Vegas Raiders

• 2025 | $24.3 million
• 2024 |$24.3 million
• 2023 | $24.3 million

San Francisco 49ers

• 2022 | $11.2 million
• 2021 | $25.4 million
• 2020 | $24.7 million
• 2019 | $18.6 million
• 2018 | $42 million
• 2017 | $434.2 thousand

New England Patriots

• 2017 | $460.9 thousand
• 2016 | $761.5 thousand
• 2015 | $578.4 thousand
• 2014 | $1.3 million

Jimmy Garoppolo’s career and success in the NFL

Garoppolo began his professional career in 2014 when he was selected by the New England Patriots in the second round of the draft. Although he was not the starter, he was mentored by Tom Brady, one of the most successful quarterbacks.

His time with the Patriots allowed him to win two Super Bowls, albeit as a backup. His opportunity came in 2017 when he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, where he became the starting quarterback.

His ability to remain competitive and his popularity among fans have enabled him to secure lucrative contracts, such as the $137.5 million deal with the 49ers in 2018, which at the time was one of the largest in history.

Jimmy Garoppolo’s endorsements

Throughout his career, Jimmy Garoppolo has worked with some of the most iconic brands globally, which have contributed a significant amount of money to his earnings as a player. These include Nike, Subway, Bose and Bodyarmor.

Thanks to his ability to build a strong personal brand, he has managed to maintain his relevance both on and off the NFL field. These endorsements not only increase his income but also solidify his position in the league.

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.

During a recent episode of her Scoop City podcast on Tuesday, NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that McVay and the Rams would be fine with Jimmy Garoppolo replacing Stafford as QB1 next season.

“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, as quoted by 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, 33, is about to hit free agency after spending the 2024 NFL season as Stafford‘s backup on the Rams. But with the starter’s future up in the air, it looks like McVay doesn’t rule out handing Jimmy G the reins instead of landing another quarterback like Rodgers.

Rodgers linked with Rams as Stafford’s future in LA is unclear

Sarah Barshop of ESPN reported last week that Stafford and his agent have been given permission by the Rams to speak to other NFL teams in order to gauge the quarterback’s market value this offseason.

Stafford, 37, led the Rams to Super Bowl victory at home in his first season with the team in 2021-22, when Los Angeles sent Jared Goff to the Detroit Lions to acquire his services.

However, with the veteran quarterback reportedly seeking a contract extension worth $50 million per year according to Peter Schrager of NFL Network, a trade could be on the cards this summer.

Rodgers, 41, has been strongly linked to the Rams since the Stafford rumors came to surface. The 4x NFL MVP and Super Bowl champion with the Green Bay Packers will not continue on the New York Jets, who announced their decision to part with A-Rod two years after trading for him.

Garoppolo made an impression in his lone start with the Rams last year, going 27-of-41 for 334 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in a 30-25 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the 2024 NFL regular season finale.

Garoppolo’s experience in the NFL before serving as Stafford’s backup in LA

Selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, Jimmy G earned two Super Bowl rings as Tom Brady’s backup in Foxborough before proving his worth as a starting quarterback on the San Francisco 49ers.

Garoppolo put up 13,599 yards, 82 touchdowns and 42 interceptions during his time in the Bay area, where he played from 2017 to 2022 with a 38-17 record as a starter. His time with the Niners also included a Super Bowl appearance in 2020, losing to Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs.

Jimmy G eventually left for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023, though he only started six games before getting benched. The Raiders went 3-3 with Garoppolo under center as the quarterback threw for 1,205 yards, seven touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Flash-forward to 2025, Garoppolo could get another opportunity to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. We’ll have to wait and see what happens with Stafford and if the Rams ultimately pass on Rodgers, but it appears that McVay would be open to this idea.

“…Probably the direction we’ll go,” stated McVay according to Ari Meirov after being asked if he would rest some starter players. However, it would be very risky because if the Rams lose the game against the Seattle Seahawks, who are forced to win to remain hopeful, and Tampa Bay wins, they would drop from the 3 seed to the 4 seed. Basically, the Rams would let Tampa Bay choose their NFL path. Despite the potential consequences, McVay appears confident in his squad, indicating he does not view resting players as a major issue.

Rams starting quarterback Matthew Stafford could be among those rested, with Jimmy Garoppolo stepping in as his replacement. McVay has expressed his belief in Garoppolo’s ability, stating: “I think he’s a really, really good football player and I’m looking forward to seeing him just go play the way he’s capable of…It’s a great challenge against an excellent defense that’s hitting their stride at the right time,” stated McVay on USA Today reports.

Jimmy Garoppolo may face one of his best chances to showcase his full potential

Jimmy Garoppolo’s NFL journey in recent years has been a rollercoaster of challenges and opportunities. After limited playing time with the Las Vegas Raiders last season, where he struggled to find a consistent role within a tumultuous environment, his move to the Los Angeles Rams has not drastically shifted his fortunes. Once again, he finds himself in a backup role, this time behind veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Yet, Garoppolo remains a quarterback with undeniable credentials, 63 NFL starts and a reputation for delivering under pressure when it matters most. His poise under pressure, ability to manage the game effectively, and understanding of offensive schemes make him an asset, even when not in the spotlight. For the Rams, this depth at quarterback is invaluable, especially with postseason aspirations looming.

This week’s matchup against the Seattle Seahawks represents more than just another game for Garoppolo. It is a chance to remind the league of his capabilities, reignite the narrative around his career, and showcase his readiness to step into the spotlight when called upon. The stakes could not be higher, The Rams are seeking to secure their playoff position.

For Garoppolo, this is not just an audition for McVay and the Rams but also a potential statement to the rest of the NFL. A standout performance could bolster his case as a starting-caliber quarterback, either in Los Angeles or elsewhere, heading into the offseason. More immediately, it could earn him greater trust from McVay as a reliable option for the Rams’ postseason run, where depth and adaptability often separate contenders from pretenders.

According to Matt Lively of CBS Bay Area, Garoppolo was seen greeting several of his former teammates after the 49ers’ 12-6 loss to the Rams. He offered to send jerseys to Nick Bosa and George Kittle while exchanging a few words and hugs with his old friends.

Another notable moment came when Garoppolo briefly shook hands with Brock Purdy. While their exchange was quick, it was clear that the 49ers‘ starting quarterback holds respect for his former mentor, having backed him up during Jimmy’s final months in San Francisco.

Garoppolo departed from the 49ers in 2022, signing with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he played for just one season. He eventually joined the Los Angeles Rams, taking on a backup role behind Matthew Stafford.

Garoppolo Hasn’t Played in 2024

The last time Garoppolo stepped onto the field to throw a pass was on October 30, 2023, during an away game against the Detroit Lions. The Raiders lost that game 26-14, with Garoppolo throwing an interception. His most recent touchdown pass came earlier that month, on October 15, in a home game against the Patriots.

What Is Garoppolo’s Salary with the Rams?

Garoppolo signed a one-year contract with the Rams, which includes a $1,968,750 signing bonus and a 2024 base salary of $1,075,556, bringing the total contract value to $3,044,305. Over his NFL career, the quarterback has earned more than $150 million.