Jimmy Garoppolo ‘tousled’ exemption; Rams ‘appeared proper’

LOS ANGELES — Rams backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo mentioned Tuesday that his two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s efficiency enhancing substances coverage was as a result of he “tousled” the therapeutic use exemption when he first obtained to Las Vegas.

The violation was associated to the quarterback utilizing a prescribed treatment with out having a sound therapeutic use exemption from the league, sources instructed ESPN’s Adam Schefter final month.

Garoppolo mentioned he is by no means “been on this scenario earlier than,” however plans to “assault OTAs, assault coaching camp and let these first two video games move by.” He can take part in all offseason actions and coaching camp with the Rams, however can’t be on the facility for 2 weeks as soon as the common season begins.

“Hopefully we’ll get some dubs and begin off 2-0 and maintain issues shifting,” Garoppolo mentioned. “Nevertheless it’s simply a kind of conditions. It’s what it’s. You bought to cope with it and simply maintain shifting on and keep optimistic.”

Garoppolo signed with the Rams because the backup to Matthew Stafford after he was launched by the Las Vegas Raiders at the beginning of the brand new league yr. The quarterback, who signed a three-year, $72.75 million contract with the Raiders final offseason, accomplished 65.1% of his passes in 2023 for 1,205 yards with seven touchdowns and 9 interceptions in seven video games.

Garoppolo mentioned he had “a few completely different choices” in free company, however speaking to Rams coach Sean McVay “actually sealed the deal” on his resolution to signal with Los Angeles. Garoppolo known as McVay “a really perceptive man” with a imaginative and prescient for his function with the Rams.

“Clearly good gamers throughout,” Garoppolo mentioned. “That is a giant a part of it. Speaking to Sean on the telephone, him simply operating me by way of offense and issues that he had in thoughts, it actually turned appetizing. And I do know numerous the coaches right here, so numerous familiarity in that facet. After which having performed in opposition to the Rams quite a bit in my profession, I’ve seen numerous good issues from L.A.”

Garoppolo spent six seasons with the division-rival San Francisco 49ers and has an 8-0 document in opposition to the Rams in his profession.

“Having gone in opposition to them for thus a few years, I knew how good this protection was, how … the offense may put up factors,” Garoppolo mentioned. “It was scenario, man. That was a giant a part of my resolution. I simply wished to discover a good scenario, good individuals round. And I believe I discovered it right here.”

Having an skilled, excessive draft choose as a backup quarterback just isn’t new for the Rams, as they signed Baker Mayfield off waivers in December 2022 and signed Carson Wentz halfway by way of the 2023 season. Garoppolo mentioned he noticed from afar what Mayfield did below McVay and the way that led to a profession resurgence with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“What Baker did, that was large, unbelievable,” Garoppolo mentioned. “And so Sean is an outstanding offensive thoughts. And numerous the fellows round listed below are, I believe that performed a giant half in reinventing — no matter you need to name it — a quarterback.

“Having good individuals round you, it isn’t all going to be completed by you. You bought to have the individuals round you to place you in place, name the proper performs, all these little issues. And yeah, I noticed this chance and I obtained excited. It simply appeared proper.”