The Los Angeles Rams will need to decide sooner rather than later who their starting quarterback will be in Week 1.
If he’s fully healthy, Matthew Stafford will be under center. But he’s been dealing with a back injury this summer and, despite returning to practice, is a huge question mark heading into the season. The other option is backup Jimmy Garoppolo, who has ample NFL experience but has devolved into more of a journey player who can start in a pinch.
Both could still lead the Rams to the playoffs, according to ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, but the difference between Stafford and Garoppolo under center could be the deciding factor of whether L.A. is a contending team in the NFC. He told NFL analyst Warren Sharp recently that there is “a massive gap” between the Rams’ offense with Stafford versus with Garoppolo calling the shots.
“This is a team that with Stafford can win the Super Bowl,” Orlovsky said. “With Jimmy Garoppolo, I think he can keep them afloat — a playoff-contending football team — but by no means are we talking about a team that legitimately threatens and challenges Philadelphia for the NFC Championship.”
This sentiment is why the Rams pushed to keep Stafford in 2025 despite his age and cost. He is simply the best quarterback for this team, as evidenced by how well the team plays with him under center versus any other player.
Garoppolo, again, has good enough experience and skills to maintain continuity on offense. But his ability stunts the Rams’ potential in 2025.
It looks as though Stafford will be ready to roll for Week 1. But if his back injury flares up, L.A. may need to call upon their backup to start at some point in 2025.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL analyst sees ‘a massive gap’ between Rams led by Matthew Stafford vs. Jimmy Garoppolo
Reporting by Tyler Greenawalt, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
