The preseason is often the playground of the primary backup quarterback. This year, the Rams’ No. 2 quarterback didn’t play in the first exhibition game. Will Jimmy Garoppolo play in the second, Saturday against the Chargers?
“He won’t,” coach Sean McVay told reporters Thursday. “I think it’s important to be able to give Stetson (Bennett) those reps. Jimmy worked hard yesterday and I think that was really good for him. He worked even harder than we thought because Matthew (Stafford) played the first two quarters. I think it was a great job for both of them. Jimmy has played a lot of football. I think it’s important for Stetson to be able to get those reps. We haven’t determined whether or not we’ll take the same approach for the third preseason game.”
Garoppolo will be suspended for the first two games of the regular season due to a violation of the drug policy. The Rams are trying to determine if Bennett can be trusted with the No. 2 job for the games at Detroit and Arizona.
After Week 2, Garoppolo will be the man behind Matthew Stafford, which would make for some interesting matchups in 2025 as the Rams will face each of Garoppolo’s former teams: the 49ers twice, the Raiders and the Patriots.
