How many games would you trust Jimmy Garoppolo to win?

Can the Rams offense still succeed with Jimmy Garoppolo?

Ever since the Los Angeles Rams traded for quarterback Matthew Stafford back in 2021, head coach Sean McVay has built the offense around the elite level passer. Stafford’s ability to unlock all areas of the field and hit all the throws is part of what makes his and McVay’s partnership special.

Thankfully for the Rams, they haven’t had to experience life without Stafford too often since his arrival. At the same time, when Stafford has been out of the lineup, the offense hasn’t been the same. The same can be said for any team without the starting quarterback, but McVay’s record without his guy at quarterback has left a lot to be desired.

Without Stafford in 2022, the Rams offense had a -0.11 EPA per dropback from Weeks 10-17. During that span, the Rams were 2-7 with wins against the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos. It’s also worth noting that both wins came with Baker Mayfield at quarterback. In games that John Wolford and Bryce Perkins finished, the Rams were 0-3.

In 2023, the Rams settled for Brett Rypien as their backup quarterback and he was forced to start against the Green Bay Packers. Rypien went 13-for-28 for 130 yards with an EPA per dropback of -0.5. Carson Wentz did secure a win in Week 18 and Jimmy Garoppolo came close in the season finale last year. Still, those are games in which the Rams planned to rest Stafford.

The good news is that if Stafford were to miss any time, the Rams do have Garoppolo. Unlike 2023, they have a plan in place with a quarterback that can at least run the offense. Garoppolo still has his limitations, but he can still execute the offense. While the ceiling of the Rams offense isn’t as high without Stafford, the floor is higher than it has been in past years.

While being without Stafford during the first two weeks of training camp isn’t ideal, the Rams are still able to continue installing the offense. Unlike in 2022 when Stafford was dealing with his elbow injury, Garoppolo is able to keep the offense on track in ways that John Wolford and others were not.

There is no clear timeline on Stafford’s return and hopefully the Rams quarterback won’t miss any time during the season. Still, if the Rams have to rely on Garoppolo for a stretch, how many games would he be trusted to win?

Garoppolo is a case where multiple things can be true at the same time. As discussed throughout this column, Garoppolo has the ability to execute the offense in a way that not much would need to be removed from the playbook. He may not have the ability to hit all of the same throws that Stafford can consistently, but he is able to keep the offense on track.

It’s true that Garoppolo has a lot of experience and at one point led the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl. That was also six years ago and before back and foot injuries that sidelined him for much of 2023. To put it simply, Garoppolo is a lesser version of Jared Goff. If the situation around him is pristine, he can lead a deep playoff run. In 2019, the 49ers had the sixth-best rushing attack and number two defense. On offense, George Kittle was the best tight end in football and Trent Williams was an elite left tackle.

However, at this point in his career, it is worth wondering if he is capable of keeping the ship afloat over the course of a year or simply filling in for a game or two. This is still a quarterback with limitations and the Rams don’t have the elite defense, explosive rushing attack, or offensive line that winning with Garoppolo requires. The defense is still young and there are questions regarding Alaric Jackson’s health on the left side.

Again, this is all speculation as there is no indication that Stafford will miss time. Still, with Stafford hurt, it’s at least worth discussing. The Rams are in a much better spot at the backup quarterback position than they have been in past years and much of that is due to Garoppolo. With that said, this is a team with Super Bowl aspirations and the Rams may not have the supporting cast that could carry Garoppolo to that peak.

There is still plenty of time for Stafford to get healthy and there is nothing worth panicking over at this point in the offseason. However, as more time passes, this is a situation worth monitoring as camp progresses.