Competent backup quarterbacks are a luxury in the NFL and the L.A. Rams signed a good one this offseason in Jimmy Garoppolo. Despite sitting out the first two weeks due to a suspension, Garoppolo was a quality signing for LA given the ineptitude behind Matthew Stafford in recent years.
The Rams should be in a good place entering the 2024 campaign, according to one NFL writer. Eric Williams, an NFC West writer for Fox Sports, named Garoppolo as the fourth-best backup QB in the NFL this season:
“Garoppolo struggled with the Las Vegas Raiders last season, but now finds himself back in a more quarterback-friendly offense with Sean McVay and the Rams. And Garoppolo has proven more than capable of leading a team when playing in a Kyle Shanahan-McVay system. Garoppolo has played in the Super Bowl and two NFC championship games. But he’ll start the year on a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. With 36-year-old starter Matthew Stafford already dealing with hamstring issues, Garoppolo’s services could be needed early in the year.”
For as much crap as Rams fans gave Jimmy during his time with the 49ers, LA securing him on a one-year deal was a steal.
Including the postseason, Garoppolo is 47-22 as a starter with a 98-57 career touchdown-to-interception ratio. He has started six playoff games and a Super Bowl (that he’d probably like to forget). Garoppolo is not a player you want as your long-term starting option as Kyle Shanahan and the Whiners found out. However, he is someone who can run the offense effectively if called into action at a moment’s notice.
Plus, Williams ranked Jimmy three spots ahead of Carson Wentz, who the Rams saw leave for the the two-time defending champs. Take that for what you will, but perhaps this marriage could last for this season at the very least. The rest of Williams’ top 10 are as followed:
Considering the Rams went into last year with Brett Rypien as the primary backup before signing Wentz in November, Jimmy Garoppolo is a MAJOR upgrade. It’s still uncertain who will take Jimmy’s place during his suspension, but his experience is welcome behind Stafford.
