Jimmy Garoppolo will make his debut for the Rams as he steps in for Matthew Stafford during the regular-season finale against the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday. This matchup is crucial as Los Angeles aims to solidify its playoff position.
On Wednesday, Coach Sean McVay confirmed the decision to rest Stafford, a seasoned quarterback with 16 years of experience. The Rams have yet to announce whether other key players will also take the day off.
With a record of 10-6, Los Angeles has already secured the NFC West title over the Seahawks, who stand at 9-7. Currently, the Rams hold the third seed in the NFC playoff bracket. However, a loss to Seattle could drop them to fourth, especially if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, also at 9-7, defeat Atlanta to clinch the South division.
As the wild-card race remains competitive among Minnesota, Washington, and Green Bay, McVay seems unconcerned about whether the Rams enter the playoffs as the third or fourth seed. His focus appears to be on managing player health as they approach postseason play.
Garoppolo, who joined the Rams as Stafford’s backup last spring, has yet to see action this season. The 33-year-old quarterback, known for leading the San Francisco 49ers to Super Bowl 54, missed the first two games of his Rams tenure due to a suspension for a violation of the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
Stafford has been the Rams’ starting quarterback throughout the season, guiding the team to nine victories in their last eleven games, marking their third playoff appearance in four years. His passing stats this season include 3,762 yards and 20 touchdown passes, which are his lowest in a season where he played at least 15 games, yet he has also recorded the fewest interceptions of his career at eight, while maintaining a completion rate of 65.8 percent.
Stetson Bennett, the Rams’ third-string quarterback, is also awaiting his opportunity. The two-time national champion from Georgia and fourth-round draft pick in 2023 has not yet played for Los Angeles, having missed the entire previous season due to personal reasons that remain undisclosed.
