The Los Angeles Rams have made it a priority to make sure they have an adequate backup for Matthew Stafford.
Stafford has dealt with various injuries throughout his career, so the Rams understood that they needed to find help in their quarterback room. After he was released by the Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles jumped at the chance to sign Jimmy Garoppolo.
Garoppolo signed a one-year deal with the Rams and he explained how it came about.
“It’s been a crazy process,” Garoppolo said. The free agency, it went the way I thought it was going to. I had a couple different options. Rams came in about midway through and I fell in love with the place. They’re straight to the point, very professional which I appreciated and there’s no messing around. Excited to be here. It’s going to be fun.”
The former Raiders signal caller also revealed that a conversation with head coach Sean McVay helped him make such an important decision. “It was a combination. Obviously good players all around, that’s a big part of it. Talking to (Head Coach) Sean (McVay) on the phone, him just running me through offense and things that he had in mind. It really became appetizing and I know a lot of the coaches here so a lot of familiarity in that aspect. Then having played against the Rams a lot in my career, I’ve seen a lot of good things from L.A.”
Lastly, Garoppolo knew he would be coming in as a backup but credited McVay for explaining his vision for him in the offense. “That was part of the being patient thing that I was talking about earlier. Just with my situation, obviously with the suspension it is what it is. But I think the other quarterbacks kind of fell into place and things really worked out well.
“There were a couple different options, but once the Rams came in, started talking to Sean on the phone and really picking his brain, that was a cool moment. That was when it really started to click. I was like this is becoming more and more real. Obviously love the area, starting to experience it a little bit being out here, can’t really beat this at all. But it’s just a bunch of those little things coming together. I think talking to Sean on the phone really sealed the deal though.”
Garoppolo’s played in a similar system to McVay’s and made for a natural target. Without the burden of starting, Garoppolo has a chance to rehab his value and hit free agency again next summer.
Former Rams quarterback Carson Wentz signs with Chiefs
Carson Wentz had the honor of being Stafford’s backup last season, but after Los Angeles signed Garoppolo, he opted to go to the Kansas City Chiefs on a one-year deal.
