Jimmy Garoppolo 'messed up' exemption; Rams 'seemed right' - ESPN

LOS ANGELES — Rams backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo said Tuesday that his two-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance enhancing substances policy was because he «messed up» the therapeutic use exemption when he first got to Las Vegas.

The violation was related to the quarterback using a prescribed medication without having a valid therapeutic use exemption from the league, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter last month.

Garoppolo said he's never «been in this situation before,» but plans to «attack OTAs, attack training camp and let those first two games pass by.» He can participate in all offseason activities and training camp with the Rams, but cannot be at the facility for two weeks once the regular season starts.

«Hopefully we'll get some dubs and start off 2-0 and keep things moving,» Garoppolo said. «But it's just one of those situations. It is what it is. You got to deal with it and just keep moving on and stay positive.»

Garoppolo signed with the Rams as the backup to Matthew Stafford after he was released by the Las Vegas Raiders at the start of the new league year. The quarterback, who signed a three-year, $72.75 million contract with the Raiders last offseason. completed 65.1% of his passes in 2023 for 1,205 yards with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions in seven games.

Garoppolo said he had «a couple of different options» in free agency, but talking to Rams head coach Sean McVay «really sealed the deal» on his decision to sign with Los Angeles. Garoppolo called McVay «a very perceptive guy» with a vision for his role with the Rams.

«Obviously good players all around,» Garoppolo said. «That's a big part of it. Talking to Sean on the phone, him just running me through offense and things that he