Jimmy Garoppolo is making a return to the NFC West, this time donning the colors of the Los Angeles Rams. The news broke on Friday via NFL Media, revealing that Garoppolo has inked a one-year deal with the Rams, positioning him to work alongside head coach Sean McVay and likely serve as the understudy to starting quarterback Matthew Stafford.
However, Garoppolo’s return to action will have a delayed start in the 2024 season due to a suspension. He is slated to sit out the first two games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Many media outlets shed light on the violation, attributing it to Garoppolo’s use of prescribed medication without a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption.
The journey back to the NFC West comes after Garoppolo’s short stint with the Las Vegas Raiders, who released him earlier in the week. His tenure with the Raiders saw him start six games, posting a 3-3 record before being sidelined in favor of rookie Aidan O’Connell. Across seven appearances, Garoppolo tallied 1,205 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
Despite his recent stop in Las Vegas, Garoppolo is perhaps best known for his time with the San Francisco 49ers from 2017 to 2022. Acquired via trade in 2017, he made an immediate impact, winning each of his first five starts for the 49ers. His standout performance led the team to a 13-3 record in 2019, culminating in a Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl LIV against the Kansas City Chiefs.
However, injuries and the emergence of Trey Lance eventually led to Garoppolo’s transition out of the starting role in San Francisco. Now, with the Rams, Garoppolo embraces the role of backup quarterback, poised to contribute to the team’s success in a new capacity.
