Jimmy Garoppolo has opened up about his excitement to join the Los Angeles Rams, not missing the opportunity to throw a subtle shade at his former teams – the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, and Las Vegas Raiders. Garoppolo expressed relief at being able to fully be himself with his new team in a clear swipe at his former teams.
As Garoppolo settles into his role as the backup quarterback for the Rams – a position he hasn’t occupied since his time under Tom Brady at the Patriots – he reflected on his turbulent six years as the starting QB with the 49ers and a brief stint with the Raiders that ended abruptly.
Garoppolo’s career has seen its fair share of upheaval, with the QB losing his starting position three times over the last three seasons, leading him to drift within the league. Now in LA, although aware he won’t be leading the charge, Garoppolo heaps praise upon the Rams’ organizational culture.
Speaking to the media, Garoppolo shared, “This place allows you to be yourself, too, which is different than other places I’ve been. You’re getting pressed with a sense of urgency but in a good way.
“Obviously, everyone wants to win. Everyone wants to perform well. They do it in the right way here. They push you positively. There’s just a lot of good things going on, man. I’m enjoying every bit of it. Even the meetings are a good time. Everything is going good right now.”
Garoppolo opened up about his tumultuous journey in the league without naming specific teams, hinting at a sense of restriction in his previous stints. He reflected on the wild ride, saying: “It was chaotic at times, but they’re all learning experiences. That’s one thing I’ve taken from this. The NFL is crazy, man. Everyone has got a story. Everyone is going whichever way trying to make it.
“But at the end of the day, it’s your story, and you’ve got to make the best of it. Good, bad, or indifferent, whatever happened in the past, it happened. Now I’m here, and I’m just trying to make every day the best day.”
Garoppolo will be sidelined for the first two games of the 2024 season due to a suspension for PEDs. Meanwhile, the Rams are likely to rely on Stetson Bennett, the two-time national champion, as their backup. Despite a shaky start with four interceptions in the preseason opener, Bennett clinched the game with a winning touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys.
