Is Jimmy Garoppolo the latest Rams backup to audition for job as Rams face Seahawks?

Backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo joined the Rams knowing what his role would be. (Gary Klein / Los Angeles Times)

This could play out differently.

What Rams quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo does on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks — and what might happen during the offseason — might make it so.

In 2022, quarterback Baker Mayfield started the Rams’ regular-season finale, an overtime defeat by Seahawks that ended a historic Super Bowl-hangover season. In 2023, quarterback Carson Wentz started the finale against the San Francisco 49ers and led the Rams to a victory.

Mayfield played because Matthew Stafford had been shut down after a midseason spinal injury. Wentz started because coach Sean McVay rested Stafford for the playoffs.

With Stafford — a Super Bowl champion and possible future Hall of Famer — firmly entrenched, the Rams did not re-sign Mayfield or Wentz.

On Sunday, Stafford once again will be held out to avoid injury and rest for the playoffs.

Read more: Rams rookie edge rusher Jared Verse earns Pro Bowl selection

Garoppolo will start for the Rams for the first time. Although McVay said this week that he did not regard it as an audition of sorts for Garoppolo, it’s not difficult to see why it could be.

Stafford, 36, has two years remaining on the extension he signed after leading the Rams to a Super Bowl victory. He continues to play at an elite level and has given no indication publicly that he is considering retirement.

Still, after forcing the Rams’ hand to do a contract revision last July, it is not outside the realm of possibility that the 16-year pro’s future with the team might be year to year.

If the Rams or Stafford decided to move on, the seasoned Garoppolo, 33, could be a bridge while McVay and general manager Les Snead search for Stafford’s long-term successor.

Regardless, Garoppolo aims to perform well Sunday, engineer a victory and increase his stock as a potential starter after his one-year contract with the Rams expires.

Backup Rams…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/jimmy-garoppolo-latest-rams-backup-110128753.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2025-01-03 11:01:00

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