Jimmy Garoppolo wouldn’t go away for simply any alternative.
The veteran quarterback, who spent final season as Matthew Stafford’s backup, stated his choice to re-sign with the Rams was a simple one.
“I kind of knew where I wanted to be,” Garoppolo stated Wednesday throughout a videoconference with reporters. “The Rams came with a strong offer, I love the people here, love the teammates. So really I’m at the point of my career, those are the little things that make a difference to me.”
Garoppolo, 33, signed a one-year contract that provides him a salary-cap variety of $4.5 million, in line with Overthecap.com.
Garoppolo, an 11-year veteran, performed one sport final season, passing for 2 touchdowns in a defeat by the Seattle Seahawks within the regular-season finale.
Garoppolo stated his agent explored alternatives with different groups however he determined to stick with a Rams group that options coach Sean McVay and basic supervisor Les Snead.
“It’s really more about the situation than the opportunity,” stated Garoppolo, who additionally has performed for the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders. “There were some opportunities. But I’ve been in a bad organization and I’ve seen how it can wear on you throughout the year. Just talking to my brothers, my family, didn’t want to go through that again.”
Earlier than and after Stafford’s contract deadlock performed out via February and early March, McVay and Snead stated they had been concerned about bringing again Garoppolo.
Did the Rams talk about with Garoppolo probably changing into the starter if Stafford didn’t return?
“That was kind of more of my agent. I really wasn’t even involved at that point. There were some discussions, nothing crazy. I mean 9’s the guy, man,” Garoppolo stated of Stafford, referring to his jersey quantity. “He steers the ship and does a hell of a job doing it.”
The Rams and Garoppolo agreed to phrases the day after the Rams agreed with three-time All-Professional receiver Davante Adams. They had been teammates with the Raiders in 2023.
“It will be fun seeing him again, just getting back on the same page,” Garoppolo stated.
Garoppolo is trying ahead to a different profitable season for the Rams, who superior to the NFC divisional spherical final 12 months earlier than dropping to the eventual Tremendous Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Garoppolo has skilled being a franchise quarterback and a backup. Alongside the best way his priorities have developed.
“Once you get to this point in your career, you start getting older and you’ve seen a couple things, you start to enjoy the little things,” he stated. “Life is short, so might as well enjoy it.”
And many others.
The Rams and offensive lineman Coleman Shelton agreed to phrases Tuesday on a two-year contract. Shelton, who performs guard and heart, performed for the Rams from 2019 to 2023 earlier than enjoying final season for the Chicago Bears. … Linebacker Christian Rozeboom, one of many Rams’ prime defensive free brokers, reportedly agreed to a one-year cope with the Panthers. … Security Quentin Lake was among the many prime 25 gamers who earned performance-enhanced pay, the NFL introduced. Lake earned $846,653 in supplemental compensation.