Rams are betting that a happy Jimmy Garoppolo makes him dangerous in 2024

After one preseason game, you would think by the nature of social media comments and the topics of how the LA Rams must cut young backup quarterback Stetson Bennett, that the team just started the season with a 10-game losing streak. Sensational headlines betray irrational reactions. Let's all pause a moment and take a deep breath. The Rams did not lose their first preseason game. Yes, Stetson Bennett struggled, but wasn't that to be expected? After all, he hadn't played a game of football for nearly a year.

Four interceptions? Yes. But one game-winning touchdown pass as time ran out. Let's keep everything in perspective.

Perspective is a great segue into the topic of this article. After all, we have yet to see a single pass from backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, and yet he is also getting the 'get rid of him,' treatment as well. So can we say it's the quarterback's performance? Or are we stuck in a 'grass is always greener,' cycle of discontent?

To be a bit more objective, many NFL analysts consider the Rams quarterback situation, particularly having Jimmy Garoppolo as the primary backup to veteran QB Matthew Stafford this season, as one of the best backup scenarios of any NFL team this season. And why not? After all, Jimmy Garoppolo brings plenty of experience, including post-season experience, to the team. And the same rejuvenation effect that helped veteran QBs Baker Mayfield and Carson Wentz rediscover their passion for football is already at work with Jimmy Garoppolo.

That was quite obvious in his recent interview by The Athletic's Jeff Howe. Unlike a player being pushed by coaches and a front office to deliver instantly, Garoppolo loves the Rams approach to promoting the player to achieve great things organically. That point is pretty clear in how he describes his experience with the Rams football team so far:

"This place allows you to be yourself, too, which is different than other places I've been. You're getting pressed with a sense of urgency but in a good way. Obviously, everyone wants to win. Everyone wants to perform well. They do it in the right way here. They push you positively. There's just a lot of good things going on, man. I'm enjoying every bit of it. Even the meetings are a good time. Everything is going good right now."

Jimmy Garoppolo

And it's this type of testimony that should make us pause, look and listen. Jimmy Garoppolo will be the team's backup quarterback from Weeks 3 through 18. Over that period of time, he is unlikely to see any action unless he goes in to clean up a game that is already decided by the end of the third quarter. If Stafford is injured, the odds are already stacked against the team.

The same can and should be said about Rams young backup quarterback Stetson Bennett. The team is not stupid. Knowing Bennett had stepped away from football for an entire year mandated the team to sign a veteran QB like Jimmy Go on a one-year contract. Not only does that give the team a backup for 2024, but allows Stetson Bennett to grow back into his role of future backup quarterback for the team.

Forget the drive up window service. Sometimes the best things in life take time. I believe that the Rams coaching staff and front office have a solid plan of succession in place for the 2024 NFL season. Rather than panic and try to fix a problem that is not yet there, I am content to let the team's quarterback situation resolve itself.

I believe that a happy Jimmy Garoppolo can be a very dangerous quarterback in the pocket. And right now, Jimmy Garoppolo seems very happy. Let's see where this leads before slamming on the brakes and trying to implement a new strategy.

Thanks for reading.