When the Los Angeles Rams signed Jimmy Garoppolo back in 2024, it finally added stability to a backup quarterback position that lacked it previously under head coach Sean McVay. Throughout the McVay era, the Rams had primarily trusted John Wolford in the backup quarterback role, but he was very limited as a passer. Back in 2023, the Rams had to rely on Brett Rypien in a game against the Green Bay Packers that was a borderline disaster.
The Rams haven’t needed Garoppolo outside of the game when the team rested starters in Week 18 of the 2024 season. However, had Stafford hurt his back or been out for a game, there would have been confidence that Garoppolo could run the offense.
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That may not be the case heading into next season. Garoppolo is expected to have a market and a potential landing spot could be with Mike LaFleur and the Arizona Cardinals. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported from the NFL Combine,
“Free agent Jimmy Garoppolo heading to Arizona is a strong option, too. The Cardinals have interest, and Mike LaFleur is considered very close with Garoppolo. “That’s his guy,” a league source said. LaFleur can create a clean path to restart his quarterback room by adding at least one veteran and drafting a QB. Something to keep in mind with Garoppolo: He has one of the league’s best QB2 jobs with the Rams, who would welcome him back.”
It’s very possible that Garoppolo wants to go somewhere he’ll have the opportunity to start. As long as Matthew Stafford is in Los Angeles, that isn’t going to happen with the Rams. With the Cardinals, Garoppolo would have a chance to be their bridge quarterback to 2027 as they move on from Kyler Murray.
That leaves the Rams in a position where they once again need to figure out the backup quarterback position. When they drafted Stetson Bennett in 2023, he was drafted to be the long-term backup. However, Bennett’s only action has come in the preseason. While he’s shown improvement, Bennett has thrown an interception in every preseason game outside of his debut. How much confidence would there be in Bennett to fill in for Stafford if needed?
Ideally, the Rams are able to acquire a veteran with experience that doesn’t mind playing the role as a backup or bring in a player with some upside. Bennett doesn’t check either of those boxes. He’ll be 29 in October and has been the team’s third-string quarterback each of the last two years. Bennett knows the system and has learned behind Garoppolo, but it’s fair to question if he can be trusted as the team’s primary backup quarterback.
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As it stands, some of the best backup quarterbacks on the free agent market include Marcus Mariota, Carson Wentz, Zach Wilson, Sam Howell, and Kenny Pickett. Mariota, Wentz, Wilson, and Howell may be the most realistic options as best fits for the Rams.
With that said, there are a handful of experienced starters that are set to be released before free agency. Players like Kirk Cousins, Tua Tagovailoa, Kyler Murray, and Justin Fields are expected to become available. Still, Cousins, Tua, and Murray may look for opportunities to start. In the case that they can’t and the Rams can talk them into a backup role, Cousins and Tua make a lot of sense. Cousins has past experience with McVay while Tua could try and fix his image around the NFL. Tua is just seven months older than Bennett and would make a lot of sense as a potential bridge post-Stafford. With Tua, Cousins, Murray, and Fields getting cut, they would also cost only the veteran minimum.
The draft is where things can get interesting. Ty Simpson would be a great fit in the offense, but he may require a first-round pick. Cade Klubnik and Drew Allar are mid-round options, but provide similar uncertainty as Bennett. Both can be developed and are almost seven years younger than Bennett, but don’t have experience. They would be better paired with an experienced backup.
There are several directions in which the Rams can go. However, this isn’t a position that can be ignored. The Rams have been lucky with Stafford’s health over the last two years and their quarterback is only getting older. Stafford’s back ended up being a non-issue in 2025, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility for it to pop back up again this offseason. The Rams will need to be prepared if it does.
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While the Rams would love to have Garoppolo back, he may look for a more prominent role on a team like the Cardinals. This could be Bennett’s opportunity to rise to the occasion. However, he still gives a lot of uncertainty. Replacing Garoppolo with another veteran may be the way to go.
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