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HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 24: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams talks with Jimmy Garoppolo #11 before the preseason game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Los Angeles Rams missed out on a backup quarterback option earlier this week when Kirk Cousins signed with the Raiders. With options dwindling, the time for the Rams to make a QB2 decision is now, before it’s too late.
All offseason, the team has made it clear that they wanted an experienced passer behind Matthew Stafford. Los Angeles seemingly had one in Jimmy Garoppolo, but never buckled down to commit to him.
Turf Show Times’ own Danny Stone wondered aloud if Jimmy G has leverage over the organization with Cousins now out of the mix. Garoppolo might’ve interpreted the Rams’ dragging their feet on re-signing him as believing they could find an upgrade at the backup role. Given L.A.’s options are dwindling, as are Garoppolo’s, but both parties had better figure it out soon. You snooze, you lose before too long.
Green Bay was also interested in signing Cousins, and it’s entirely possible they might pivot to someone like Garoppolo. Like the Rams, the Packers want someone experienced behind their primary starter. They currently don’t have a top-end backup behind Jordan Love after Malik Willis left for the Dolphins this offseason.
Truthfully, L.A. was fortunate that talks broke down between Jimmy G and the Cardinals before they decided to sign Gardner Minshew instead. That should’ve been the sign that the Rams had to re-sign him right then and there. Instead, Garoppolo is weighing his options, and who knows how that’ll ultimately go down.
At some point, you have to wonder if the front office is dragging its feet because they plan to draft Stafford’s successor later this month. It wouldn’t be a complete surprise if they do. That day will come soon enough, but say it does happen in this year’s draft, it would only make sense to retain someone like Garoppolo too, so most of the pressure’s off. Why pin all your Super Bowl hopes on a rookie signal caller when it’s far less risky to keep someone on the roster who’s been on that stage before?
There are few options left for the Rams at backup quarterback. A decision had better come shortly, before the front office regrets waiting too long to make a move.
