Kirk Cousins elected to join the Raiders yesterday. That took one of the top remaining veteran quarterbacks off the free agent market, leaving Jimmy Garoppolo among those yet to line up a deal.
Garoppolo has spent the past two seasons with the Rams, giving them an experienced backup to Matthew Stafford. A third Los Angeles contract is something the team is interested in, and that will no doubt be the case to an even larger extent with Cousins no longer available. Garoppolo appears to have other suitors as well, however.
The 12-year veteran is “weighing a few options” at this time, Nate Atkins of The Athletic notes. Garoppolo spoke with the Cardinals about a free agent deal, but talks did not yield an agreement. Arizona has since added Gardner Minshew to a depth chart already including Jacoby Brissett. The Cards will not be among the possibilities Garoppolo faces at this point, but another Rams accord could be one.
Atkins confirms Los Angeles would prefer a QB2 with starting experience as Stafford prepares to play at least one more season. The 2025 MVP enjoyed an encouraging run of durability this past season, but at this point Stetson Bennett is second on the quarterback depth chart. He has yet to make a regular season appearance despite being drafted in 2023. Another Garoppolo deal would certainly offer a greater degree of stability under center than relying on Bennett during a season in which the Rams will be eyeing another deep playoff run.
In 2024, Garoppolo took a contract worth $3.18MM. The 34-year-old played for a similar figure this past season. Another one-year contract can be expected, and it will be interesting to see if a Rams return is finalized in the near future. If not, other teams which were named as Cousins suitors could be in the mix as well. All parties may wait until after the upcoming draft before a deal winds up being worked out.
A full-time QB1 gig is not available at this point for Garoppolo, who most recently logged double-digit starts in a season in 2022. He represents one of the most experienced passers still on the market, though, and a number of teams could stand to benefit from adding him for the 2026 season.
The Packers have been looking at veteran backups, he’d make a lot of sense.
Option #1 – Flag Football League
Option #2 – Garoppolo Pizza & Spaghetti House
I think he compares favourably to Gino Smith. Why is the no action/discussion on Russell Wilson?
Because Russ is awful?
Italian Josh Johnson
Hard to believe Jimmy G is 34. How time flies.
He and Russ are still available. What a market year for seasoned QBs. Maybe his agent makes some calls to packers or texans
Maybe its time for these over 35 year old quarterbacks to retire. You hear that art rooney. Give up you’re bromance with Rodgers. Can’t you see that you have made the steelers a laughing stock.
Reports here in Pittsburgh is that Rodgers wants 30 million to return. Hell no. He will take the 30 million but give nothing in return. Maybe another 9 win season. People say that Rodgers won the AFC central. But the division was a gift. If the kicker makes the chip shot field goal, the steelers would not have been humiliated by Houston.
How can a ten win team be a laughing stock? The Jets, Cardinals, Raiders and Titans are laughing stock.
They’ve all been just as successful as the Steelers. Waiting on AR and his schedule makes you a laughing stock.
Cardinals and Titans have never won SB games. They dont even compare
You dont live in Pittsburgh, so you have no idea of how frustrating its been since 2010.
I understand the frustration, but the Steelers have had their chances since then. The defense doesnt get it done in postseason
No one has won the AFC central in 20 years.
Jimmy is more GQ than QB nowadays … needs to stick to magazine shoots.
His body is badly damaged and he has never shown well outside Shanahan’s system.
Well the art rooney are happy with the status quo