Source - Rams signing Jimmy Garoppolo to one-year contract - ESPN

The Los Angeles Rams are signing quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to a one-year contract to be Matthew Stafford's backup, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Friday.

The Las Vegas Raiders released Garoppolo on Wednesday, just one season after he signed a three-year, $72.75 million contract with the franchise.

He is suspended for the first two games of the 2024 season for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drugs policy. The violation was said to be related to Garoppolo using a prescribed medication without having a valid therapeutic use exemption from the NFL, Schefter reported.

The Rams were reminded of the importance of a backup quarterback last season when Stafford injured his thumb and missed the Rams' Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers. Without Stafford — and quarterback Brett Rypien starting the game — Los Angeles only scored three points in the loss.

During his end of season news conference in January, Rams general manager Les Snead referenced that loss — and how it came close to costing the team a playoff spot — when discussing the importance of having a backup quarterback «that can help us win a game.»

The Rams have had several high draft picks as their backup quarterback in the last two seasons: Baker Mayfield in 2022, Carson Wentz in 2023 and now Garoppolo.

Los Angeles drafted quarterback Stetson Bennett to back up Stafford, but he missed the 2023 season on the reserve/non-football illness list. In his end of season news conference in January, Rams head coach Sean McVay said it was too early to know whether Bennett would be with Los Angeles next season.

When Garoppolo signed with the Raiders, he needed surgery on his left foot — his contract did not become viable until he passed a physical. He suffered a