Last offseason, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams to serve as the backup quarterback to eventual MVP Award winner Matthew Stafford.
Now, Garoppolo is a free agent and reportedly considering retirement. Here’s how the NFL World is reacting to the news about the quarterback and how it pertains to the Rams’ strategy.
Jimmy Garoppolo’s Retirement Will Complicate Rams’ QB Room
We’re only three days out from the NFL Draft, and it now appears that the Rams might have to adjust their strategy. Insider Ian Rapoport is reporting that Garoppolo is mulling retirement with the following post:
“Rams free agent QB Jimmy Garoppolo, considered their top option as backup QB, is considering retirement, sources say. Jimmy G, who has started 64 games during a 12-year career, has made over $156M in all. He is 34 and is mulling a final decision.”
Since 2014, Garoppolo has only qualified for PFSN’s NFL Quarterback Impact Metric three times (2019, 2021, and 2022), all three of which are with the San Francisco 49ers. His best season in the metric was 2021, where he ranked as the best quarterback in the league with an impact score of 89.2 and a letter grade of B+.
#Rams free agent QB Jimmy Garoppolo, considered their top option as backup QB, is considering retirement, sources say.
Jimmy G, who has started 64 games during a 12-year career, has made over $156M in all. He is 34 and is mulling a final decision. pic.twitter.com/GqpB5YU3uz
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 20, 2026
If this is it for Garoppolo, in his 12-year career, he’s completed 67.4% of passes for 15,828 passing yards, 96 touchdowns, and 52 interceptions. He’s also a two-time Super Bowl winner, which he won while serving as Tom Brady’s backup with the New England Patriots.
Sports writer Carlos Burrell discussed how Garoppolo’s move will affect the Rams’ strategy. He posted, “[If] He retires, Rams 100% trading for or drafting a QB.”
He retires, Rams 100% trading for or drafting a QB. https://t.co/MZYdm69ASI
— Carlos B (@MrCarlosBurrell) April 20, 2026
49ers page OurSF49ers commented under Rapoport’s post, “Wow.”
Sports writer Joe Dolan posted, “Bag getter. The Hallmark Channel awaits.”
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NFL Analyst Lindsey Marie is upset by the news and simply posted, “No one talk to me.”
No one talk to me https://t.co/AwQYPDbBc4
— lindsey ok (@lindseyyok) April 20, 2026
Finally, DraftKings Sportbook’s account throws jest at Garoppolo by posting a clip of him in the Super Bowl vs the Kansas City Chiefs. The 49ers had a chance to win, but they lost after Garoppolo overthrew a potential game-winning touchdown.
A legend of the game, Jimmy Garoppolo pic.twitter.com/2jzv1OVbrR
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) April 20, 2026
Miami Dolphins journalist Joe Schad proposes the next career line for Garoppolo by posting, “Could go into acting or TV?”
Garoppolo has had quite the career. He went from being a backup, winning two Super Bowls, and then earning a starting spot while making an exorbitant amount of money throughout his career.
