Latest news with #Garoppolo
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
The ultimate Matthew Stafford backup? Why the Rams love Jimmy Garoppolo
No Matthew Stafford, no problem. At least for now. With the Rams' star quarterback sidelined because of what coach Sean McVay has described as back soreness, 12th-year pro Jimmy Garoppolo is running the offense as the Rams prepare for their Sept. 7 opener against the Houston Texans. 'I found out pretty suddenly,' Garoppolo said of his elevation to the first-team offense on the eve of training camp. 'But that's the life of a backup quarterback.' Stafford, entering his 17th season, is expected to join workouts next week, according to McVay. If Stafford's back problem persists, that could be trouble for a team that is expected to be a Super Bowl contender. In the meantime, they are relying on Garoppolo, who is something of a luxury for McVay and the Rams. Garoppolo, 33, is 43-21 as an NFL starter in stints with the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders. He led the 49ers to the Super Bowl in the 2019 season and has played in seven postseason games. 'Jimmy Garoppolo is a starting quarterback,' McVay said. 'Obviously, we feel so fortunate to have somebody like Matthew leading the way, but Jimmy's done a great job.' Garoppolo signed with the Rams before last season after an injury-plagued 2023 season with the Raiders. The belief by many was that it would be a one-year residency with the Rams before Garoppolo sought a starting opportunity elsewhere. During the offseason, the Rams explored possibly trading Stafford before reaching agreement on an adjusted contract. Garoppolo, who had been regarded as a bridge possibility if the Rams moved on from Stafford, signed another one-year deal in March worth just over $3 million, according to 'Sean plays a big role,' Garoppolo said when asked why he decided to remain with the Rams. 'Honestly, it's just the people here. ... Having been around 12 years, you see both sides of it — and the other side can get old real quick. ... You've got to be around good people.' Garoppolo played in only one game last season. He completed 27 of 41 passes for 334 yards and two touchdowns, with an interception, in a 30-25 defeat by the Seattle Seahawks in the regular-season finale. Now he is preparing for his 12th season. Can he envision playing 17 seasons, ala Stafford? 'I'm taking it year by year,' he said. 'I would say, how does the body feel? How does the mentality feel? 'I never want to half-ass anything in my life. So I've loved this game of football and I've always given it everything I have. So when the day comes, I think I'll know. 'But we ain't there yet.'
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Sean McVay: 'No doubt' Jimmy Garoppolo is a starting NFL QB
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay continues to praise backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. While he's no immediate threat to Matthew Stafford's role with the team, McVay still believes Garoppolo is a starter in the league. He added that Garoppolo is the best backup quarterback in the NFL. "I look at Jimmy — he's a starting quarterback," McVay told Fanduel TV's Kay Adams this week. "Jimmy's played at a really high level. an he's going into Year 12. He's got so many things to bring to the table. "... There's no doubt in my mind he's a starting quarterback in this league and I think he'll get a chance to be able to do that again. ... Having Jimmy has been a real blessing." This mirrors what McVay said all offseason about Garoppolo before Stafford returned to the team and what the head coach said to reporters after training camp practice this week. Garoppolo played one game for the Rams in 2024 — Week 18 game when L.A. didn't play its starters ahead of the playoffs. He completed 65.9% of his passes in that game for 334 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He's had to step in for Stafford during training camp while Stafford is limited with an injury. The veteran chose to return to the Rams in 2025 despite reports of offers elsewhere because he enjoyed his time with the team. "I'm at that point in my career [where] those are the little things that make a difference to me," he said in the spring." McVay's endorsement of Garoppolo could mean one of a few different things. He could just be confident in Garoppolo's ability to command the offense in the event Stafford misses time. Or, he could be hyping up Garoppolo for a potential trade if another team is looking for a starting-caliber quarterback. Another option, though, is a hint that Garoppolo could be the Rams' future starter in a post-Stafford world in the event they can't land a quarterback in the draft. Either way, Garoppolo has a big fan in his head coach.
USA Today
30-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Tennessee Titans add signal caller in 2014 PFF re-draft
The NFL draft is always a flurry of activity, met with instant analysis and grades on every pick. It's often fun to look back and see what would have happened if a player's NFL performance were factored in. But, sometimes, redrafts of past drafts, where a player's career has been played out, are even more fun. The Tennessee Titans would love to be able to go back and re-draft a few of their classes over the years. While they have hit on a few players, others are epic failures. It's a good thing for Titans fans that the team at Pro Football Focus (PFF) loves to redraft past classes and see what could have been. In their latest entry, PFF decided to look back at the 2014 NFL draft to see how things could have been if the Houston Texans opened the draft by selecting all-time great Aaron Donald first overall instead of David Carr. Eventually, they made their way to the Titans at No. 11 and also made a significant change. 11. Tennessee Titans: QB Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois (Round 2, Pick 62) Original Pick: T Taylor Lewan, Michigan Three quarterbacks started at least five games for the Titans in 2014: Zach Mettenberger, Charlie Whitehurst, and Jake Locker. Tennessee opts for some consistency here with Garoppolo, who has been mostly an average quarterback in the NFL, posting a 79.9 career PFF overall grade so far. He did almost lead the 49ers to a Super Bowl victory in 2019, but it's the much-needed quarterback-room stability he provides that makes him the 11th pick in this redraft. Lewan was a solid pick, and his legacy in Nashville cannot be overlooked. The offensive tackle came in and solidified the Titans' offensive line for an extended period. However, had the Titans taken Garoppolo, things might have been different. While never a superstar, Garoppolo was a consistent quarterback who proved he could be a successful signal caller in the league, even leading the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance. During that period, the Titans were in quarterback purgatory and could have used a steady playmaker at the helm to steer the offense; he would have been a solid value and a good pick. Looking back, while adding a quarterback would have been a flashy move, the focus on the offensive line was probably the right way to go. No quarterback can be successful without a solid line in front of them. If you don't believe me, just look back at the 2024 Titans' offense from 2024. So, while Garoppolo would have garnered some headlines, Lewan was likely the right choice.
USA Today
31-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jimmy Garoppolo named one of the best backup QBs in NFL for 2025 season
Jimmy Garoppolo named one of the best backup QBs in NFL for 2025 season Matthew Stafford's job will never be in doubt for the Los Angeles Rams so long as he's healthy and able to play. But if something were to happen to him, the Rams have a great backup solution for someone to step in for the star quarterback. Veteran Jimmy Garoppolo, who enters his second season with L.A., was named the second-best backup quarterback by Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano ahead of the 2025 season. Only the Atlanta Falcons' Kirk Cousins ranked higher. "It doesn't get much safer at quarterback than Garoppolo, who racked up 38 wins and made a Super Bowl appearance with the 49ers," Manzano wrote. "Garoppolo can keep teams afloat amid injuries and has the skill set to run offenses smoothly. He lacks arm strength and is sometimes slow to react, but he has a nice gig in Los Angeles as Matthew Stafford's backup. If Garoppolo is needed to play, he can lean on Puka Nacua and Davante Adams." Garoppolo was solid in one start this past season — a meaningless Week 18 loss where the Rams benched all their starters ahead of the playoffs. He completed 65.9% of his passes for 334 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. And that was with backups. If Garoppolo needed to play for Stafford, he'd likely get the full complement of weapons. He's also played with Adams, albeit in an awful season with the Las Vegas Raiders. Obviously, the Rams' season would change dramatically without Stafford. But Garoppolo's signing in 2024 and subsequent re-signing this offseason are corrections from the 2022 season, which saw a cavalcade of bad quarterbacks play with Stafford sidelined. Players like John Wolford, Bryce Perkins and even Baker Mayfield (pre-Buccaneers glow-up) combined for eight starts and went 2-6. Garoppolo likely won't be that bad in a pinch.
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jimmy Garoppolo stats, game log, news, injury status
Jimmy Garoppolo stats, game log, news, injury status Jimmy Garoppolo will be ready to play when his Los Angeles Rams begin the 2025 season versus the Houston Texans, on Sept. 7 at 4:25 p.m. ET. Garoppolo recorded 334 passing yards (334.0 per game) with a 65.9% completion percentage last year (27-of-41), while throwing two touchdowns and one interception. Get Rams tickets on StubHub! Jimmy Garoppolo injury news Garoppolo is currently not listed on this week's injury report. Jimmy Garoppolo stats (2024) Pass completions: 27 27 Pass attempts: 41 41 Completion percentage: 65.9% 65.9% Pass yards: 334 334 Pass TDs: 2 2 INTs: 1 1 Pass yards/attempt: 8.1 8.1 Rush attempts: 2 2 Rush yards: 5 5 Rush TDs: 0 Garoppolo game log (2024) Week 18 vs. Seahawks: 27-for-41 (65.9%), 334 YDS (8.1 YPA), 2 TD, 1 INT, 2 CAR, 5 RUSH YDS, 0 RUSH TD Next game: Jimmy Garoppolo vs. the Houston Texans The Los Angeles Rams (0-0) meet the Texans (0-0) in their next game. How to watch Jimmy Garoppolo and the Rams Matchup: Los Angeles Rams vs. Houston Texans Los Angeles Rams vs. Houston Texans Time: 4:25 p.m. ET 4:25 p.m. ET Date: September 7, 2025 September 7, 2025 TV: CBS CBS Live stream: Fubo (regional restrictions may apply) Fubo Live stream: Paramount+ Watch Rams vs. Texans on Fubo!
