Feb. 10, 2026, 4:40 p.m. PT
The Los Angeles Rams don’t need to worry about their starting quarterback in 2026. They know it’ll be Matthew Stafford after the veteran announced he’d return for an 18th NFL season.
However, the Rams need to figure out their backup quarterback and potential successor for Stafford. Right now, the only other quarterback under contract is Stetson Bennett, as Jimmy Garoppolo is an impending free agent. And while McVay has praised Garoppolo in recent years and noted his ability as a starter in the NFL, one of McVay’s former assistants could poach him for his new team.
ESPN’s Ben Solak wrote this week that he “would not be surprised” to see new Arizona Cardinals head coach and former Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur sign Garoppolo to be his quarterback.
With new head coach Mike LaFleur stepping in with the Sean McVay system, I would not be surprised to see Rams free agent Jimmy Garoppolo also make his way to Arizona as a potential spot starter instead of Brissett.
It would make a lot of sense for LaFleur to bring in someone with whom he’s familiar and who would know the offense he’s trying to run in Arizona. First, though, LaFleur needs to figure out what to do with incumbent quarterback Kyler Murray.
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Garoppolo may be enticed to take a job with a team he could start at quarterback, but he’s also spoken about how he’s enjoyed being on the Rams over the past two years and how that plays into his decision-making this late in his career.