Jimmy

Garoppolo

In other words, like last year, expect Stafford to not be given all of the reps in training camp or (likely any of them) in preseason. This is mentioned as Barshop notes that the Rams have yet to address backup quarterback. Kirk Cousins, who was mentioned as a potential backup option, signed with the Raiders late last week. McVay said at the meetings that Jimmy Garoppolo’s return is “less likely than likely.” As things currently stand, Stetson Bennett would be getting a lot of training camp reps with the 1s. We expect there’ll be a different answer than that when it’s actually August, but that’s where things stand now.

Garoppolo was linked to the Dolphins and Cardinals in early March, but both teams have brought new quarterbacks aboard since then. Per Atkins, the Rams’ “sights for a backup” have refocused on Garoppolo, now that the Raiders have signed QB Kirk Cousins. The Rams would reportedly “really would like an experienced former starter in that role.” Garoppolo spent the last two seasons in said role and turns 35 in November.

McVay said Garoppolo is “working through his process right now,” as the veteran QB remains unsigned nearly a month into free agency. McVay added that Garoppolo’s return “feels less likely than likely.” Cousins and McVay spent five seasons together in Washington, with McVay serving as Cousins’ offensive coordinator for three of those seasons. As Cousins seems more and more unlikely to land a starting job before the start of this season, a reunion with McVay in Los Angeles as Matthew Stafford’s backup could make a ton of sense for both sides, and give the Rams two solid veteran options at the position.

From the outside, it’s been a very puzzling free agency for Garoppolo. He was a rumored fit in Arizona and Miami, and it seemed like it was assumed that he’d return to the Rams when the Cardinals inked Gardner Minshew. But it’s been weeks since then and there’s been no clarity on his status. It sure doesn’t seem like there are better options for him out there than returning as the Rams backup — perhaps the Cardinals are considering trading Jacoby Brissett? — but the report of a fluid market suggests that maybe there are more teams interested than we know about.

Per Jackson, the Dolphins are interested in adding a veteran quarterback who will “be a good sport about being No. 2" behind Quinn Ewers if that’s how it plays out. He also lays out that they are interested in Malik Willis at “a certain unknown price point.” It sounds like the Dolphins are going to have a brutal year of taking their medicine on the Tua Tagovailoa contract. An Ewers/Garoppolo quarterback competition would be a tough scene.

New head coach Mike LaFleur is apparently close enough to Garoppolo to get a “that’s his guy” from a league source. We’re not sure that a 35-year-old who has started one game in the last two seasons and was picked off nine times in 169 dropbacks in 2023 is the right addition for the state of the Cardinals quarterback room. But, on the other hand, it’s LaFleur’s guy, and he did just defend hiring Nathaniel Hackett.

Garoppolo hasn’t needed to throw a pass all year, which is funny given how concerned we all were about Matthew Stafford’s back in August. Garoppolo popped up on the injury report as a DNP with this back injury on Thursday, though Sean McVay said he “expects” Garoppolo to play. Stetson Bennett would be Stafford’s backup if Garoppolo is inactive Sunday.

The Rams, per Rapoport, are going to take it slowly with Stafford, who is struggling with a chronic back injury that required an epidural earlier this summer and kept him sidelined for much of training camp. Stafford reportedly threw around 20 passes upon his return to practice on Monday. It remains to be seen whether Stafford, 37, will practice again this week. If Stafford is a no-go for early in the season, Jimmy Garoppolo will take over as LA’s starter — a less-than-ideal situation for Davante Adams and Puka Nacua.

Our national nightmare is over. After refusing on Saturday to say if Stafford worked out as planned, the Rams’ QB1 took to the field in full pads and jersey on Monday, looking ready for his first taste of training camp practice. Stafford has been dealing with a back injury for weeks and, at one point, had an epidural to help with the pain. Stafford has endured numerous injuries throughout his 16-year career, including multiple back injuries. Head coach Sean McVay said last week that part of Stafford’s absence last week was due to function and pain tolerance, which doesn’t seem great. The Rams are going to do what they can to have Stafford ready for the season, but we wouldn’t assume he’s a lock to start Week 1 until we see how he progresses in the coming weeks. If he’s unable to go at any point in the season, Jimmy Garoppolo would take the reins at QB1.

Similar to what he did last weekend, Stafford was scheduled to work out before Saturday’s preseason game to test the back injury that has sidelined him throughout training camp. The same spokesperson also said head coach Sean McVay would address the situation on Monday, leaving us to wonder what the next report in this saga could entail. Stafford was unable to practice last week despite plans for him to return to the field on Monday, and now the team is being cagey about his Saturday workout after publicizing it the previous week. It’s worth reminding folks that the Rams decided earlier this week that backup Jimmy Garoppolo would not play in the second preseason game, which may or may not prove meaningful in the coming days. This remains a situation to monitor.