Rams fans won't love emergency QB options left in Jimmy Garoppolo's wake

The latest news suggesting that veteran free agent Jimmy Garoppolo is pondering retirement comes in time for the Los Angeles Rams to respond in the 2026 NFL Draft. But the news is terribly timed if the best option is signing a veteran quarterback. The current NFL free agency market has been picked clean of enticing options. 

Veteran quarterback Kyler Murray is gone. QB Kirk Cousins is gone. Even Marcus Mariota would be a major upgrade over the remaining names in the free agent pool. Unfortunately, he's back with the Commanders.

Combing through the best of the rest reveals very limited choices. Russell Wilson, now 37 years old, is clearly running on empty. Tyrod Taylor, 36, is nearly a decade removed from his days as a starter. Cooper Rush lost his touch in Baltimore last season. 

The Rams could also consider old John Wolford, their backup from 2020 to 2022. The connection is there, but he hasn't thrown a pass since leaving Los Angeles. 

That's it. The good options are gone. Jimmy G's sudden announcement has put the Horns in a bind when they thought they had him in their back pocket.

Sparse free agent market offers the Rams no satisfying solution

Painful as it is, they may be forced to hold their noses and hand a contract to an unappetizing candidate. If the Rams don't land a capable quarterback in the draft, someone who can come in and compete for the QB2 job as a rookie, that will be their only pathway to adding depth-chart insurance alongside Stetson Bennett.

Okay, then, so be it. Let's do this. Ugh. 

It's an indictment of the free agent pool at large that Wilson may have the highest floor. He's been to multiple Super Bowls. He started 11 games for the Steelers two years ago, plus a playoff game. 

The question is, can he move? Seriously. Can he move his feet at all, or is he basically wearing cement boots? 

His lack of mobility in the pocket, let alone outside it, was sorely apparent last season with the Giants. His decision-making was suspect. Wait, did he even see that defender in the middle of the passing lane? 

After three starts, Wilson lost his job to rookie quarterback Jaxon Dart. Later, when Dart got hurt, the Giants went with Jameis Winston. Wilson steamed on the sidelines.

What about Taylor? He's made 19 starts in eight years, most recently for the Jets, posting a QBR of 27.0 in that span. Rush was a career backup in Dallas until 2024, when he stepped in admirably for the injured Dak Prescott. For the Ravens, however, he provided no spark whatsoever: zero touchdowns to four interceptions and a QBR of 26.3. 

Wolford gained popularity among LA fans during his stay, and he knows Sean McVay's system. The problem is, he hasn't made it off another team's practice squad. He probably wouldn't beat out Bennett. 

In terms of resume and recent production, Wilson is the leader in the clubhouse. Would he beat out Bennett? Would Taylor or Rush? Debatable. 

And, before anyone asks, Aaron Rodgers isn't an option. He'll retire or return to start for the Steelers. He's currently busy withholding a decision. 

If there's one thing the free agent landscape makes clear for the Rams, it's that drafting a solid quarterback in the draft just became a priority. Hopefully, general manager Les Snead agrees. 

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