On Friday, a source informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter, that the Los Angeles Rams are signing quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to a one-year contract to be Matthew Stafford’s backup.
Breaking: The #Rams are signing QB Jimmy Garoppolo, per @AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/VBM0qlic81
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 15, 2024
As reported, the Las Vegas Raiders released Garoppolo after one season and now is heading to Los Angeles three days after he was released. He had signed a three-year, $72.75 million contract with the franchise.
In February, the NFL suspended him for the first two games of the 2024 season for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Schefter reported that the violation was following Garoppolo’s using a prescribed medication without having a valid therapeutic use exemption from the NFL.
Since spring the Rams had admitted being looking for a new backup quarterback after their failed attempts with several players.
During his end-of-season news conference in January, Rams GM, Les Snead mentioned how it came close to costing the team a playoff spot, referencing the importance of having a backup quarterback “that can help us win a game.”
Rams coach Sean McVay on occasion has also spoken highly of Garoppolo for years, and now the veteran passer will be the primary backup to Stafford.
Last season with the Raiders QB Garoppolo made six starts before getting benched midway through the season. In the starts, he threw nine interceptions and seven TD passes in the first season of his three-year, $72.75 million contract.
The Rams seek to address their backup quarterback problem through the NFL Draft again, but the free agent signing of QB Garoppolo has secured their new backup quarterback.
