Jimmy Garoppolo sends message to NFL teams ahead of preseason

The Los Angeles Rams seemed to confirm rumors that veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo had decided to retire were accurate when they made Ty Simpson the 13th overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft and then ended springtime workouts with Stetson Bennett IV potentially penciled in as the club's QB2. 

It sounds like Garoppolo, 34, is not yet ready to ride off into the sunset of retirement. 

Jimmy Garoppolo waiting for "right situation" this summer

On Wednesday evening, NFL Media's Mike Garafolo (h/t Grant Gordon) revealed that Garoppolo "has decided not to retire and would come back to play in the right situation." 

Garafolo added that "there is nothing imminent" and that "it might take an injury to a quarterback or the need for a veteran to get into the mix" for Garoppolo to put pen to paper on a deal before the regular season gets underway. 

Garoppolo hasn't been a first-choice option for a team since the 2023 season, and he has made just one regular-season start since September 2024. That said, he holds a 4-2 record as a postseason starter, and he has experience leading teams into conference championship games and even a Super Bowl. 

Garoppolo likely wouldn't be the worst backup in the league, on paper, were he to sign with a team at some point in August. 

Where could Jimmy Garoppolo end up? 

As of Thursday morning, the Arizona Cardinals and presumed starter Jacoby Brissett were still involved in a standoff regarding his desire for an adjusted contract. Meanwhile, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic mentioned that the New York Jets could be looking for an upgrade at the QB2 position who could possibly make starts in place of Geno Smith. 

That said, neither the Cardinals nor Jets are viewed as legitimate contenders. Interestingly, Gordon wrote that "rejoining the Rams would seem to be an option" for Garoppolo. That comment could lead one to believe that the Rams aren't quite as high on Bennett, a 2023 fourth-round draft pick, as some thought in June.

Unlike Garoppolo, Bennett has never attempted a regular-season pass as a pro. He currently is on track to compete with Simpson for the Rams' primary backup job, but that could change if head coach Sean McVay decides he would rather have Garoppolo directly beneath reigning MVP Matthew Stafford on the depth chart.