NFL Rumors: Jimmy Garoppolo facing Rams depth chart demotion
After quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was cut by the Las Vegas Raiders on Mar. 13, the Los Angeles Rams took a flier on the veteran QB and signed him to a one-year deal six days later. The Rams signed Garoppolo with the intention of being a backup to Matthew Stafford.
According to 49ers Sports Talk, Garoppolo has an 'uphill climb' to make the Rams' roster this season. He's been struggling in training camp with the Rams.
This comes after a season where he struggled with the Raiders in his first season with the team. After spending the last five-and-a-half seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before the 2023 season, Garoppolo reunited with former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, the Raiders' coach.
Garoppolo started the season as the Raiders' quarterback but was benched after six games. He went 3-3 as the team's starter, throwing for 1,205 yards, seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. The team went with rookie Aidan O'Connell after benching Garoppolo.
Jimmy Garoppolo will battle with Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn as Los Angeles' backup
While Jimmy Garoppolo may have been brought in with the intention to serve as the Los Angeles Rams backup quarterback, he's going to have to earn it. While everyone has their struggles, it is a little surprise to see the report come public about Garoppolo's struggles with his new team in training camp.
Currently, Garoppolo is listed as the team's No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart. Behind him is Stetson Bennett and Dresser Winn, respectively.
It's unclear how many quarterbacks Los Angeles will enter the season with, but one of the three, if not two, will likely be cut from the active roster.
Garoppolo has a lot more experience than both Bennett and Winn. The Rams drafted Bennett in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft but went on the reserve/non-football illness list on Sept. 13. Winn was signed as an undrafted free agent with the Rams last season.
The three will continue to battle this summer to see who wins the backup QB spot to Matthew Stafford.
Even if Jimmy Garoppolo wins the job, he will have to sit out the first two games of the 2024 season due to violating the NFL's PED policy.