Another significant decision has been made in what has been an eventful day for the Los Angeles Rams due to future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald’s abrupt retirement.
This time, around the football field, the Rams agreed to terms to sign Jimmy Garoppolo, the former quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers and the Las Vegas Raiders, according to numerous sources.
With a one-year contract, the team will have some temporary peace of mind behind starter Matthew Stafford, 36.
With last year’s backup quarterback, Carson Wentz, gone, the Rams, who were in dire need of a replacement for the tough-as-nails but aging Stafford, were hoping to stabilize the position’s depth this summer.
Sean McVay actually reiterated this idea last month, stressing the importance of having a No. 2 quarterback.
“As of right now, we have Matthew Stafford, and as far as we’re concerned, there isn’t a backup quarterback on this roster,” McVay stated.
Let’s just say that having to play without Matthew Stafford against the Packers at Lambeau Field brought home just how important the backup quarterback position is.
Brett Rypien was used as the starter on that particular day, which had terrible consequences and led to one of their worst losses of the year.
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Thankfully for the Rams, Garoppolo, who has 81 games played and 63 starts under his belt in addition to 10 years of experience, answers all of those problems and more.
Garoppolo threw for 15,494 yards and 94 touchdowns during that span of time, spending three years with the Patriots, six with the 49ers, and one with the Raiders. In addition, he guided his club to 13 comeback victories and game-winning drives.
Not to mention the one Super Bowl (2019), two NFC Championship games (2019 and 2021), and the loss to the Rams en route to Los Angeles’ victory in Super Bowl LVI.
The Rams will still have plenty of chances to select a quarterback in the 2019 draft, even with Garoppolo in hand. Some have even predicted that the Rams will choose Stafford’s apparent successor in Round 1 of the draft.
However, given the vacuum left by Aaron Donald, the need is a little less urgent now, which lessens the likelihood of needing a first-round quarterback.
Stafford just turned 36, but the Rams may yet decide to give the position top priority in the future.
