Rams sign QB Jimmy Garoppolo to back up Matthew Stafford

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 201722, during which he went 8-0 as a starter against Los Angeles in the regular season.

Rams coach Sean McVay has spoken admiringly of the 32-year-old Garoppolo for years, and now the veteran passer will be the primary backup to Stafford. The Super Bowl-winning star is returning for his 16th NFL season after a strong bounce-back performance in 2023.

Garoppolo made six starts last season for the Raiders before getting benched midway through the season. He threw nine interceptions and seven TD passes in the first season of his three-year, $72.75 million contract, but new coach Antonio Pierce moved away from Garoppolo after taking over.

Garoppolo also got a two-game NFL suspension last month for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs, which means he won’t be available to play for the Rams until Week 3.

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.

Garoppolo’s only loss to the Rams as a starter was in the NFC championship game in January 2021.

Curl’s deal is worth $8.75 million and could be worth up to $12.75 million.