After a rollercoaster ride of seven seasons as an NFL starting quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo decided it was time for a career reset. And what better place to embark on this journey than with Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams?
“I’m thrilled to embark on this new journey,” Garoppolo expressed on Tuesday following the Rams’ official announcement of his signing. “I’m not entirely sure what lies ahead, but perhaps it’s a chance to reset, reinvent, or whatever you want to call it. I’m just eager to return to the football field and start connecting with new teammates.”
The 32-year-old also shed some light on the reason behind his two-game suspension at the start of the upcoming season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. He attributed the suspension to a mistake in his filing for a therapeutic use exemption for an unspecified substance.
“I simply messed up the TUE process,” Garoppolo admitted. “I hate to make light of it, but I made an error in my TUE paperwork when I first arrived in Las Vegas. Bad timing, I suppose.”
Garoppolo’s decision to join the Rams came just two days after his release from Las Vegas. His stint with the Raiders was marked by turbulence and ultimate disappointment, considering he began with a hefty contract and ended up on the bench behind a rookie.
This marked a significant shift from his successful years with the 49ers. Upon entering free agency, Garoppolo sought to follow in the footsteps of Baker Mayfield, who experienced a career resurgence in late 2022 under McVay.
“What Baker accomplished was remarkable, truly incredible,” Garoppolo remarked. “Sean is an exceptional offensive mind, as are many others here. I think that played a pivotal role. Reinventing or whatever you call it, having a good support system around you is crucial. It’s not solely about you.
You need people around you to put you in favorable positions, call the right plays, and handle all the little details. It’s an opportunity, and it felt right.”
After starting his career as Tom Brady’s understudy in New England, Garoppolo has been a starting quarterback for most of the past seven seasons, aside from several lengthy injury absences.
In Los Angeles, he will serve as the backup to Matthew Stafford, who is entering his 16th NFL season and fourth as the Rams’ starter. Garoppolo expressed eagerness to learn from Stafford, whom he described as a “down-to-earth guy” with remarkable arm talent.
The signing of Garoppolo, boasting 63 career NFL starts, signifies a shift in the Rams’ approach to their backup quarterback position, which has often been filled by untested players during McVay’s tenure.
While Garoppolo’s undefeated record as a starter against the Rams in the regular season is notable, it’s not the primary motivator for his signing. The Rams are well aware of his success against them, but they also value his experience and familiarity with similar offensive schemes.
Despite missing the first two games due to suspension, Garoppolo views the offseason and preseason as an opportunity to kickstart his next chapter before the suspension takes effect.
“Just take it in stride,” Garoppolo remarked. “It’s a peculiar situation, but it is what it is, I suppose. Make the most of OTAs and training camp, and let those first two games pass. Hopefully, we’ll start 2-0 and keep the momentum going. … You just have to keep moving forward and stay positive.”
