Rams sign Garoppolo and Curl; Donald announces his retirement
LOS ANGELES — Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has signed with the Los Angeles Rams as the backup to Matthew Stafford.
Safety Kamren Curl also agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the Rams on Friday.
Garoppolo was released Wednesday by the Las Vegas Raiders after one disappointing season. He is best known to Rams fans from his years with the archrival San Francisco 49ers from 2017-22, during which he went 8-0 as a starter against Los Angeles in the regular season.
Garoppolo made six starts last season for the Raiders before getting benched midway through the season.
Garoppolo had his best years in San Francisco under Kyle Shanahan, McVay’s good friend and former coworker. While never an elite starter, Garoppolo racked up 13,599 yards passing with 82 touchdowns and 42 interceptions during his six seasons under Shanahan, making 55 starts for the Niners.
Curl’s deal is worth $8.75 million and could be worth up to $12.75 million.
Earlier Friday, Defensive lineman Aaron Donald has announced his retirement after a standout 10-year career with the Rams.
The three-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year made his surprising announcement on social media Friday.
The 32-year-old Donald spent his entire career with the Rams, who drafted him in the first round in 2014 out of Pitt. The Pittsburgh native was selected for 10 Pro Bowls and eight All-Pro first teams.
Lawrence Taylor and J.J. Watt are the only other players to win the defensive player of the year award three times.
Cowboys release Gallup, Vander Esch
The Dallas Cowboys informed wide receiver Michael Gallup’s agent Friday they have released the deep-threat wide receiver, a person close to the situation told The Dallas Morning News. Gallup was due an $8.5 million salary next season. Of it, $4 million stood to become fully guaranteed if he remained on the roster Sunday.
The Cowboys also released linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, cutting ties with two of their top three picks from the 2018 draft. Vander Esch was released with a failed physical designation.
Eagles make deal for Steelers QB Pickett
The Pittsburgh Steelers are trading quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Pittsburgh will receive a thirdround pick in this year’s draft and two seventh-round choices in 2025 in exchange for Pickett and Pittsburgh’s fourth-round pick this year.