Jimmy Garoppolo became a free agent this offseason after being benched by the Las Vegas Raiders last season, hitting the market as a likely backup option for several teams. Despite the fact that he was no longer viewed as a starting quarterback, Garoppolo did say this week that he “had a couple different options,” which suggests the Rams weren’t the only team interested.
There were a lot of things that drew Garoppolo to Los Angeles, but it sounds like the primary reason was Sean McVay. Getting a chance to play for a brilliant coach like McVay was a big plus for Garoppolo, especially having spent time in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
“It was a combination,” Garoppolo said of what was appealing about the Rams. “Obviously good players all around, that’s a big part of it. Talking to Sean on the phone, him just running me through offense and things that he had in mind. It really became appetizing and I know a lot of the coaches here so a lot of familiarity in that aspect. Then having played against the Rams a lot in my career, I’ve seen a lot of good things from L.A.”
Garoppolo has never played for McVay before but he’s familiar with some of the coaches on his staff, including offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and senior assistant Jerry Schuplinski. That will help make Garoppolo’s integration into the organization easier, but it’s McVay’s coaching ability that has the veteran quarterback particularly excited.
“Real excited, real excited,” he said. “We’ve talked a bunch after games. Last year when I was with the Raiders, got to practice here against the Rams. We talked after a couple of those practices. He’s always just been a very perceptive guy. He sees a lot of things, sees it very well, sees it for what it is and that’s a big part of how I got here. I think he had a vision, talked me through it, really just explained what he saw my role as, and just his football knowledge. I’ve heard it from so many different players and coaches, but to be here firsthand and get to experience it, that’s what I’m really excited about.”
McVay, ever the recruiter, talked to Garoppolo on the phone during the free agency process and that’s what really sold the former 49ers quarterback on the idea of playing for the Rams.
“There were a couple different options, but once the Rams came in, started talking to Sean on the phone and really picking his brain, that was a cool moment,” he said. “That was when it really started to click. I was like this is becoming more and more real. Obviously love the area, starting to experience it a little bit being out here, can’t really beat this at all. But it’s just a bunch of those little things coming together. I think talking to Sean on the phone really sealed the deal though.”
Garoppolo steps in as Matthew Stafford’s backup, bringing plenty of experience and knowledge to the Rams’ quarterback room. It’s only a one-year deal and there’s a chance he never gets on the field, but he saw what Baker Mayfield accomplished in a short period of time in 2022, which led to another starting job with the Bucs in 2023 and a contract extension this offseason.
“I mean, what Baker (Mayfield) did, that was tremendous, incredible,” he said. “Sean’s a phenomenal offensive mind and a lot of the guys around here are and I think that played a big part in reinventing, whatever you want to call it, a quarterback, having good people around you. It’s not all going to be done by you. You got to have the people around you to put you in a good position, call the right plays, all those little things. And yeah, I saw this opportunity and I got excited. It just seemed right.”