Jimmy Garoppolo Considering Retirement After Two Seasons as Rams Backup
Veteran quarterback, 34, was top option to continue backing up Matthew Stafford; Kirk Cousins signed with Raiders
Quick Look
- Jimmy Garoppolo is considering retirement, sources told NFL Network.
- The 34-year-old quarterback spent the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams backing up Matthew Stafford and was still considered the top option to fill that role for 2026.
- Coach Sean McVay said last month the Rams were considering Garoppolo and Kirk Cousins for the backup role, but Cousins signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Jimmy Garoppolo has played 12 seasons in the NFL, beginning with three seasons as Tom Brady's backup with the Patriots before being traded to the 49ers in 2017. He spent six seasons with San Francisco, throwing for 13,599 yards with 82 touchdowns. He then spent one season with the Raiders in 2023 before joining the Rams as Matthew Stafford's backup.
Free agent quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is considering retirement, sources told NFL Network on Monday. Garoppolo, 34, has spent the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, backing up quarterback Matthew Stafford, and was still considered the top option to fill that role for the 2026 season. At the NFL's annual meeting last month, coach Sean McVay said that the Rams were considering Garoppolo and Kirk Cousins for the role as Stafford's backup. Cousins has since signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. Garoppolo appeared in three games during the 2025 season but did not attempt a pass behind a healthy Stafford. Garoppolo started the Rams' 2024 regular-season finale after the team had clinched the NFC West. In that game, he completed 27 of 41 passes for 334 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. In 85 games over 12 seasons, Garoppolo has completed 67.4% of his passes for 15,828 yards with 96 touchdowns and 52 interceptions. The veteran quarterback spent the first three seasons of his career with the New England Patriots, who drafted him in 2014 to back up quarterback Tom Brady. In 2017, the Patriots traded Garoppolo to the San Francisco 49ers, where he spent six seasons and threw for 13,599 yards with 82 touchdowns and 42 interceptions. Garoppolo spent the 2023 season with the Raiders before he was released the next offseason.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Rams will need to pursue another veteran quarterback to serve as Stafford's backup for 2026
Very likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- When will Garoppolo make a final decision on retirement?
- Will the Rams pursue another backup quarterback option?
- Could Garoppolo potentially sign with another team instead of retiring?
