Rams quarterback moves shine bright after Packers lose Love to Week 1 injury

The importance of the backup quarterback position can be vital to the hopes of competing in the NFL Playoffs. If you don't believe me, must talk to some Green Bay Packers fans today. Not only did the Packers lose their Week 1 season opener to the Philadelphia Eagles, but in the closing moments of the game, as he tried to rally his team for a climatic comeback, he fell to an injury.

So it was a horrible way to start off the season. Not only did the Packers lose a game, but they lost their starting quarterback Jordan Love to injury. And that really hurts their chances of returning to the NFL Playoffs this season.

But on a positive development, medical tests today indicate that Love did not suffer an ACL injury. As of right now, his likely timetable to recover is from three to six weeks. That means that recently acquired QB Malik Willis, The Packers traded the Tennessee Titans for Willis on August 27, 2024, sending the Titans a Round 7 in the 2025 NFL Draft in return. Now, Willis must crash course the Packers offensive playbook, as he will almost certainly be the Packers' starter until Jordan Love returns.

Rams may have finally gotten the backup QB role right

The Los Angeles Rams may not have drafted a rookie quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft, but the team did not turn a blind eye to the position this past offseason. Even as fans waged a spirited debate over the merits of the second season for quarterback Stetson Bennett, the front office was already putting a plan into place for the backup quarterback position.

Unlike recent years, when the team scrambled to find and sign a tarnished veteran quarterback who was eager to restore his reputation, the team signed a quarterback in the offseason whose reputation was obliterated with a short and rather unsuccessful stint playing for the Las Vegas Raiders. While the front office knew beforehand that veteran QB Jimmy Garoppolo would not be ready to go in the first two games of the 2024 NFL season due to a pending two-game suspension, he would get the benefit of training camp and preseason.

That would make him ready to go from Week 3 and beyond.

But what about those first two games of the season? Despite the social media urgings of some fans, the Rams have entrusted Stetson Bennett to be the team's backup quarterback through those first two games. And then, depending on how well he performs in that role, the team will have a decision to make regarding the roster for Week 3 or afterwards.

While fans may not like the team's plans at backup quarterback, the team is absolutely in a better position this year than in many previous seasons. While their may be some anxious moments in Weeks 1 and 2, once Jimmy Garoppolo returns, the team will have another veteran quarterback who has loads of postseason experience under his belt.

It may feel weird to cheer for QB Jimmy Garoppolo this season if he steps in. But it's far better than cheering against him.

As always, thanks for reading.