Jimmy Garoppolo’s free agency appears to be heating up.
With Kirk Cousins signing a fully guaranteed one-year, $20 million contract with the Raiders on Thursday, some focus now moves on to Garoppolo, who is among the top backup options still available.
Nate Atkins of The Athletic reports that Garoppolo is “weighing a few options,” while the Rams prioritize re-signing the former 49ers star quarterback.
Garoppolo served as Matthew Stafford’s backup the last two years, making a fraction of what Cousins will receive from the Raiders, with Spotrac reporting he made just a $1.25 million base salary and $3 million total after bonuses last season during the team’s run to the NFC Championship game.
The former second-round pick out of Eastern Illinois has a track record of success, having led the 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2020, though many remember his overthrown pass to Emmanuel Sanders on a critical third down against the Chiefs that loomed large in the defeat.
With Garoppolo’s days as a starter likely over, the 34-year-old still has experience in big spots leading an offense, which could be invaluable to a team with a younger quarterback at the position.
Among those teams that could be interested include the Cardinals, who were reportedly interested in him before negotiations hit a snag earlier this offseason.
Arizona instead pivoted to Gardner Minshew, but there is still a possibility that he lands there.
Garoppolo could also head north to the Packers, who just lost their backup, Malik Willis, and need a new presence behind Jordan Love, who has missed time each of the last two seasons.
Garoppolo did not throw a pass for the Rams last year, as Stafford won his first MVP.
It remains possible that Garoppolo opts to wait and see if there are any injuries that open up new opportunities for him during the offseason or perhaps training camp.
