Jimmy Garoppolo is still sitting out there unsigned.
The 34-year-old spent two seasons in Los Angeles backing up Matthew Stafford, appeared in just four games, and made one start.
He's not a starter anymore, but there's still real value in a veteran with 64 career starts, a Super Bowl appearance, and 12 years of NFL experience.
The question is which team decides that first.
Rams Still Feel Like Jimmy Garoppolo’s Best Fit
Don't expect a big payday here.
When Garoppolo signed with the Los Angeles Rams two years ago at 33, he came in at just over $3 million annually.
His market hasn't exactly exploded since.
The most comparable recent deal is Teddy Bridgewater's, who landed with the Detroit Lions at $2.5 million guaranteed with a $5 million max. Bridgewater and Garoppolo are the same age, though Garoppolo carries a better injury profile as a backup.
Expect something in the $3 million per year range on a one-year deal, maybe two if the right situation lines up.
Fowler: Jimmy Garoppolo to Cardinals in free agency is "strong option."
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) March 1, 2026
One recent contract projection pegged Garoppolo as more of a low-cost veteran in the roughly $3 million range annually, which is right in the neighborhood of what the Rams would be happy paying for a stable backup.
Patriots, Packers, and Raiders Linger as Wild Cards
The Rams remain the most logical landing spot, at least for now.
Per Nate Atkins of The Athletic, Los Angeles is genuinely interested in bringing Garoppolo back.
The fit makes obvious sense. Stafford turns 38 this season, the team is built to win now, and Stetson Bennett has never played an NFL snap.
If Garoppolo walks, general manager Les Snead will need to find another answer fast, whether that's a mid-round draft pick or a trade call to Houston about Davis Mills.
Outside of Los Angeles, three other teams make legitimate sense.
The Las Vegas Raiders are a natural fit given Garoppolo's prior stint there, and with the team planning to eventually hand the keys to top draft pick Fernando Mendoza, a familiar bridge option makes a lot of sense alongside Aidan O'Connell.
The New England Patriots, meanwhile, just released Joshua Dobbs, leaving Tommy DeVito as their only backup behind Drake Maye. Given that Garoppolo knows Josh McDaniels' system cold from his 2014 to 2017 days in Foxboro, the connection is there, and the Patriots would just have to decide if they want to spend on it.
And then there's Green Bay, where ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has noted that a Garoppolo-to-Packers scenario isn't off the table.
Matt LaFleur runs a system familiar to Jimmy G, and the Packers lost Malik Willis this offseason.
The Miami #Dolphins could add Jimmy Garoppolo to the QB room, per multiple reports.
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) February 23, 2026
Very close to some of the Miami Offensive staff. pic.twitter.com/w41ctU1nre
Packers fans might have strong feelings about his 2022 comments after San Francisco knocked them out in the divisional round, but if the contract is right, Garoppolo would certainly get over it.
At 34, going into year 13, Garoppolo is definitely not reinventing himself.
But a backup role on a contender, in a familiar system, on a short-term deal? That market exists for him.
The Rams are still the frontrunner, but don't be surprised if a phone call from Las Vegas or New England changes the math before the draft.
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
