Jimmy Garoppolo says he might retire: Who could the Rams draft to back up Matthew Stafford for the 2026 season?

Veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is reportedly considering retirement, leaving the Los Angeles Rams with some questions around the position that had previously seemed stable behind starter Matthew Stafford. With the NFL Draft just days away, the timing could force Los Angeles to adjust their plans.

Garoppolo, 34, spent the past two seasons with the Rams as Stafford’s backup and was widely viewed as the leading option to return in that role. Now, with his future unclear, the Rams may need to look toward the draft or a trade for a solution.

Why the Rams suddenly need a backup plan

The Rams entered the offseason expecting continuity behind Stafford, even exploring multiple veteran options. Head coach Sean McVay had previously mentioned both Garoppolo and Kirk Cousins as potential backups, but Cousins has since signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.

That leaves a potential gap behind a 38-year-old Stafford, who remains productive but has dealt with injuries in recent seasons, making a reliable No. 2 quarterback essential.

Could the Rams target a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft?

If Jimmy Garoppolo does follow through on retirement, the Rams may have to seriously consider using the NFL Draft to address their quarterback depth, but not necessarily in the way fans might expect.

Holding the No. 13 overall pick, Los Angeles is unlikely to reach for a quarterback that high unless a prospect unexpectedly slides. More realistically, the Rams could wait until the middle rounds to target a developmental option who can learn behind Matthew Stafford.

However, there’s a catch. The Rams have shown little indication that they’re comfortable handing the QB2 role to an unproven rookie right away. With playoff expectations still intact, relying on a first-year player as the primary backup carries obvious risk, especially behind a veteran starter entering his late 30s. That makes the draft more about securing long-term depth.

Trade market may be the more realistic path

Because of that urgency, a trade could ultimately be the more logical move if Garoppolo is no longer in the picture.

Several quarterbacks around the league have been floated as potential trade candidates, including Indianapolis Colts’ Anthony Richardson and Houston Texans’ Davis Mills, both of whom have starting experience and could step in without dramatically altering the offense.

Other names like Will Levis (Tennessee Titans) and Tyson Bagent (Chicago Bears) represent more developmental upside, while still offering more experience than a typical rookie.

Even Seattle Seahawks’ Drew Lock could emerge as a short-term solution, depending on how the market develops around the draft.

The timing of Garoppolo’s situation puts added pressure on Los Angeles to act fast. If the Rams enter draft night without clarity at QB2, they may need to balance two timelines at once, competing in the present while also preparing for the future. That could mean drafting a quarterback on Day 2 or 3 while simultaneously exploring trade options for a more reliable backup.

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