4 Rams offensive upgrades that will push team into Top-3 tier in 2024

IV: Backup quarterback

The LA Rams have finally invested in the backup quarterback role. Well, they did use a Round 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to add rookie QB Stetson Bennett to the roster. But even had he remained on the active roster all season, this offense is not easy to lead by a rookie. This year, the Rams have combined veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to serve as the team's primary backup quarterback.

Garoppolo was the quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers for six seasons, overlapping the four seasons that coincided with the time that Coach Mike LaFleur served s the passing game specialist and coordinator. If you appreciate the direction that the Rams offense has taken in 2023, you will love the strides that this offense makes in 2024.

While that may not impress you, consider this. For the first time since hiring HC Sean McVay in 2017, the Rams backup quarterback is on the roster in time to benefit from a full training camp, has started in six NFL Playoff games (with a 4-2 record), and has 13 game winning drives. While the team managed to add a veteran quarterback mid-season in both 2022 and 2023, the Rams have ensured that Garoppolo is onboard for the entirety of the 2024 NFL season.

Of course, the plan for each and every year is not to need the services of a backup quarterback. But in the past two seasons, that has not been the case. In fact, both Matthew Stafford and the Rams football team dodged a bullet in 2023 when Stafford's thumb injury proved not to be season ending.

This year, the Rams will face the first two games of the 2024 NFL season without backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo due to his two-game suspension. But he will be back to handle the role for the final 15 games of the season.