{"id":871440,"date":"2026-04-21T21:22:51","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T21:22:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/871440\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T21:22:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T21:22:51","slug":"rams-get-honest-about-plan-after-jimmy-garaoppolo-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/871440\/","title":{"rendered":"Rams Get Honest About Plan After Jimmy Garaoppolo News"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Jimmy\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Jimmy Garoppolo #11 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before a game against the Tennessee Titans.<\/p>\n

The Los Angeles Rams<\/a> received an unfortunate update on backup quarterback and two-time Super Bowl champion Jimmy Garoppolo<\/a>, but head coach Sean McVay<\/a> is not ready to fold just yet, despite what he has said about the situation.<\/p>\n

The Rams, of course, are working on an extension for quarterback Matthew Stafford<\/a>.<\/p>\n

However, the Rams\u2019 plan behind Stafford is still taking shape with the 2026 draft offering an opportunity to find an heir apparent.<\/p>\n

Rams Keeping \u2018Door Open\u2019 for Jimmy Garoppolo\"Jimmy<\/p>\n

GettyJimmy Garoppolo #11 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on before a game against the Seattle Seahawks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

McVay followed Rams general manager Les Snead<\/a> in conducting pre-draft media availability, where he faced a question about Garoppolo, who remains a free agent.<\/p>\n

The Rams only have untested former draft pick Stetson Bennett IV<\/a> behind Stafford.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou leave the door open,\u201d McVay said, per NFL Network\u2019s Ian Rapoport<\/a> in a post on X on April 21. \u201cYou don\u2019t want to press. We want to be able to give him his time, and he knows where we stand.\u201d<\/p>\n

McVay\u2019s remarks come in the wake of news that Garoppolo\u2019s decision is not just between the Rams and another organization.<\/p>\n

\u201c#Rams free agent QB Jimmy Garoppolo, considered their top option as backup QB, is considering retirement, sources say,\u201d Rapoport reported<\/a> on X on April 20. \u201cJimmy G, who has started 64 games during a 12-year career, has made over $156M in all. He is 34 and is mulling a final decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

McVay previously said he would love to have Garoppolo back, but that it was as unlikely.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt this point, when there hasn\u2019t been a decision, it feels less likely than likely,\u201d McVay told reporters in March, per the LA Times\u2019 Gary Klein reported<\/a> on X. \u201cBut I don\u2019t want to rule that out.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Rams were also interested in Kirk Cousins<\/a> at the time, while Garoppolo had been linked to the Arizona Cardinals<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Neither situation panned out, but the Rams are the ones facing a risky situation.<\/p>\n

They are a team with Super Bowl aspirations and an aging starting quarterback who dealt with a back injury in training camp and the preseason in 2025. Garoppolo\u2019s familiarity with the Rams\u2019 offense as Stafford\u2019s backup for the past two seasons is an advantage over other options<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Rams Actions Speak Volumes About Stetson Bennett IV\"Stetson<\/p>\n

GettyStetson Bennett #13 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during a game against the Seattle Seahawks.<\/p>\n

Stafford played in all 17 games (and all three postseason games) for the Rams last season, leaving little for Garoppolo and even less for Bennett.<\/p>\n

The 128th overall pick of the 2023 draft, Bennett missed his rookie season for a confluence of reasons<\/a>. He has yet to take a snap during a regular-season game, is in the final year of his contract, and turns 29 in October.<\/p>\n

That the Rams are showing interest in QBs\u2013both veteran and in the draft\u2013speaks volumes.<\/p>\n

Bennett was a two-time national champion in college at Georgia, guiding the Bulldogs to back-to-back titles.<\/p>\n

He is also undersized and lacks the kind of mobility that quarterbacks of similar stature\u2013such as Kyler Murray<\/a> and Russell Wilson<\/a>\u2013have utilized to overcome physical limitations in terms of height and arm strength (though both Murray and Wilson have plus-arms).<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tJosh Buckhalter<\/a> covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Rams\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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