Former Patriots QB Praised Amid Potential Starting Opportunity

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said on Saturday that starting quarterback Matthew Stafford wouldn’t practice this week due to a back injury.

The two-time Pro Bowler and one-time Super Bowl champion is now being called week-to-week, which opens the door for former New England Patriots signal-caller Jimmy Garoppolo to take over under center.

The 33-year-old spent the first three years of his NFL career from 2014 to 2016 with the Patriots, serving as Tom Brady’s backup. Garoppolo played 17 games and made two starts during his time in New England, going 63-for-94 with 690 passing yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions, while earning two Super Bowl rings.

He then played six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, eventually ascending to the starting role and finishing as the AP Comeback Player of the Year runner-up in the 2019 campaign before spending 2023 with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Garoppolo played just one game behind Stafford in 2024 but has earned plenty of praise from McVay and other members of the Rams’ coaching staff.

“I think Jimmy Garoppolo is a starting quarterback,” the head coach said, according to a report by Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. “Obviously, we feel so fortunate to have somebody like Matthew leading the way, but Jimmy’s done a great job. I think he’s shown good command the first couple days. I’ve always thought he was a high-caliber player.”

“I mean, he’s a proven, very good quarterback in this league,” offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur added. “Obviously I have a huge history with him. I’ve always loved Jimmy as a person. I’ve always loved his game and respected his game. Now going into year two (with the Rams), he knows this locker room and the guys don’t blink when he’s out there because he has command of that huddle.”

Los Angeles has its first preseason game on Aug. 9 against the Dallas Cowboys and concludes the slate of exhibition contests Aug. 23 vs. the Cleveland Browns. The Rams begin their regular season on Sept. 7 at home against the Houston Texans.