jimmy garoppolo is considering retirement, and that possibility is putting the Los Angeles Rams’ backup quarterback plan back under the spotlight on April 20, 2026 ET. The Rams currently have only Matthew Stafford and Stetson Bennett on the roster, and they continue to be interested in Garoppolo. If he steps away, the team will need another experienced option for a season in which depth behind Stafford matters.
Rams could be forced into a quick pivot
The immediate issue is simple: the Rams may have to find a new backup if jimmy garoppolo retires this offseason. That matters because the team is being framed as going all-in for the 2026 season, and the backup job is no longer a small detail. If Stafford misses time, Los Angeles will want a quarterback who can step in and help win a game or two.
One option discussed is Spencer Rattler of the New Orleans Saints. He is under contract on his rookie deal for the next two seasons, and that extra control makes him a practical trade target. In nine games and eight starts last season, he threw for 1, 586 yards with eight touchdowns.
Another possibility is Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts. The appeal is clear: his rushing ability and strong arm give him a high ceiling. But there is also real risk, and that uncertainty makes him a more volatile fit as a backup plan.
jimmy garoppolo and the free-agent alternatives
If the Rams do not want to trade for a quarterback, Russell Wilson is listed as the best free-agent option not named Aaron Rodgers. Tyrod Taylor, Cooper Rush, and Teddy Bridgewater are also mentioned among the higher-profile free agents, but the evaluation is not especially strong on that group.
Wilson is viewed as a possible emergency starter with experience, even if his recent struggles with the New York Giants raise concerns. The underlying point is that the Rams need someone who has started NFL games before, and Garoppolo’s status is what makes that search urgent.
Immediate reaction and why this matters now
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network is the named figure tied to the retirement chatter around jimmy garoppolo. That update landed after earlier reporting that he was weighing a few options, one of which included not playing for anyone.
Garoppolo, 34, would be facing a decision on whether he wants to play in what would be a 13th NFL season. The Rams remain interested in him, but their roster reality means they cannot wait forever if his answer moves toward retirement.
What happens next
The Rams now appear to be in a holding pattern while Garoppolo decides his future. If he retires, the team will likely have to move quickly, with Rattler, Richardson, and Wilson standing out as the clearest paths discussed. For now, the conversation around jimmy garoppolo is less about one player alone and more about how soon the Rams need a dependable answer behind Stafford.
