Rams Get Significant Jimmy Garoppolo Update in Free Agency

The Los Angeles Rams settled a significant question about their quarterback room, with Matthew Stafford returning after his MVP season. But the Rams still face uncertainty, with only Stetson Bennett IV under contract and Jimmy Garoppolo a free agent.
LA has left the door open for Garoppolo’s return, with head coach Sean McVay speaking candidly about the veteran and two-time Super Bowl champion.
That looms large for Bennett and the Rams amid the latest news around Garoppolo.
Rams Get Good News About Jimmy Garoppolo
“Hearing that the talks between the Cardinals and Jimmy Garoppolo hit a snag, prompting the Cards to pivot to Gardner Minshew,” the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin reported on X on March 9.
That bodes well for the Rams.
“Before free agency, it was widely believed that the Cardinals would make a play for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. And they did,” Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio wrote on March 10. “But they agreed to terms with quarterback Gardner Minshew instead.
“The most clear alternative for Garoppolo didn’t come to fruition. He remains free to talk to any team, and to come to terms whenever and wherever he wants.”
New Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur was LA’s offensive coordinator for four seasons.
He grew close during their time together. And with the Cardinals moving on from Kyler Murray, Garoppolo emerged as a logical target for Arizona. His return would cross one concern off the Rams’ list, with Bennett having yet to log a snap during an NFL regular-season game.
Jimmy Garoppolo Misses Out on Starting QB Openings
Long before joining the Rams, Garoppolo was the 62nd overall pick of the 2014 draft by the New England Patriots. He won two Super Bowls there, but rose to prominence as a starter for the San Francisco 49ers, whom he led to a Super Bowl.
In two seasons with the Rams, Garoppolo has appeared in four games, logging one start.
That was in Week 18 of the 2024 season, as McVay rested Stafford and the starters in preparation for the postseason.
Garoppolo, who has also played for the Las Vegas Raiders, is 43-21 in his career as a starter across 12 seasons as a pro. He could still leave LA, having been linked to the Green Bay Packers as a replacement for backup Malik Willis, should the latter land a new gig, which he did.
The Rams’ stance on Garoppolo remains clear.
Sean McVay Praises Jimmy Garoppolo
Garoppolo stepped in for the Rams amid Stafford’s back injury in training camp and the preseason ahead of the 2025 campaign, underscoring his value to the organization.
McVay made his stance clear.
“I love Jimmy. I would absolutely want him back,” McVay told reporters on March 3. “Jimmy’s a really good player. And so, we would love him back. I’m sure he’ll have multiple opportunities. And then, we’ll just kind of see where we’re at. But he’s been tremendous for the last couple years. We’ve loved everything he’s about.
“We would love him back, but 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.”
What is unclear is if Garoppolo is content in LA with the Rams or if he sees increased odds of seeing the field elsewhere.