The 2025 season marked the first time since his days with the Patriots that Jimmy Garoppolo entered the season in a backup role.

It was one he willingly embraced after signing a one-year deal to join the Rams.

Los Angeles coaches and teammates praised Garoppolo for his work behind-the-scenes in that role, whether it was what he brought to meetings or in practice running the scout team. When quarterback Matthew Stafford was among the starters the coaching staff decided to rest in an inconsequential regular season finale against the Seahawks, Garoppolo got the start and completed 27 of 41 passes for 334 yards and two touchdowns against one interception.

"What I've seen is a guy that's approached it like a pro," head coach Sean McVay said of Garoppolo's approach to this past season. "Been a great teammate. You can see just the respect, the reverence for Matthew, and really for each other, that they have for one another."

Now, Garoppolo is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent when that one-year contract expires at the start of the NFL's new league year on March 12.

Re-signing Garoppolo would bring stability to the backup position. The Rams have had a veteran at that spot in each of the last two years, and recognize the value of having experience there. He also has a year of experience in L.A.'s offense, so a return would save time onboarding a new quarterback over the spring and summer. However, this outcome would also be contingent on whether Garoppolo wants to be a backup again, or if he wants to seek an opportunity to become a starter elsewhere.

Should the Rams and Garoppolo go their separate ways, the Rams historically have used free agency to find a veteran backup. Prior to Garoppolo, they brought in Carson Wentz, although that was a mid-season signing. Garoppolo was signed in the initial wave of free agency last year.