Jeremy Fowler puts Rams QB room in the spotlight with latest NFL rumors

The Los Angeles Rams have been blessed with a consistent quarterback room for the past two seasons. The team has enjoyed the leadership of veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. Backing him up is veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Behind them is former Georgia superstar Stetson Bennett.

While the team may be content to maintain the status quo, all good things must come to an end.

ESPN NFL analyst Jeremy Fowler suggests that Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur may want to bring in a trusted veteran quarterback to kick-start his style of offense. And former 49ers/Rams quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is ideally suited to do exactly that.

And Jimmy G is a free agent.

LA loves Garoppolo, but only as a present-day backup. And with a limited niche role, they are unlikely to offer much in terms of a new contract. But LaFleur could up the ante to a multi-million, multi-year deal that the perennial backup quarterback cannot refuse. And the Cardinals could dangle the chance to start in 2026 as well.

Los Angeles cannot match that offer.

Cardinals interest in Jimmy Garoppolo could pose problems

The Los Angeles Rams have been successful at integrating out-of-favor quarterbacks into their offense in recent years. The team managed to restore the luster to quarterback Baker Mayfield, Carson Wentz, and even Jimmy Garoppolo in recent years.

But it's clear that if the Cardinals' head coach, Mike LaFleur, wants Jimmy G to start his offense in 2026, he has the advantages described above to do so. While Garoppolo would fast-track the transition to a LaFleur-inspired offense, LA would be left with a huge backup quarterback role to fill.

And the team is going to struggle to find the right solution.

The simplest and perhaps best option is simply to promote Stetson Bennett to the primary backup quarterback role, and draft a promising rookie quarterback to target for a larger role in 2027.

Of course, where there's smoke, there's fire. And NFL rumors linking Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson to Los Angeles are red hot right now. Just smoke? Perhaps. But it's certainly one option if Jimmy G signs elsewhere.

All eyes are on LA right now. Even after Matthew Stafford earned MVP honors, fans and analysts know his NFL career is coming to an end. Who will take over? That answer may reside in the 2026 NFL Draft.

As always, thanks for reading.