Jimmy Garoppolo and Sean McVay have always talked when their paths have crossed. After their two games a year as division rivals. After joint practice between the Raiders and Rams a year ago.
“He’s always just been a very perceptive guy,” Garoppolo said Tuesday. “He sees a lot of things, he sees it well, he sees it for what it is. That’s a big part of how I got here.”
On Tuesday, Garoppolo officially signed a one-year deal to join the Rams as the backup to quarterback Matthew Stafford, after a free agency that played out a little differently than the one that occurred a year ago.
When his contract with the San Francisco 49ers expired last offseason, he quickly found a new starting job with the Las Vegas Raiders, signing a three-year, $67.5 million contract and reuniting with former coach Josh McDaniels. By Halloween, McDaniels had been fired and Garoppolo benched after throwing seven touchdowns and nine interceptions in seven games.
The Raiders released him last week, and Garoppolo said he had to be more patient during this free agency. He waited to see how things played out with open starting jobs, though those were filled by other options, or will be filled in next month’s draft.
He said he had other options, but he was impressed by the Rams’ backup opportunity. A talented roster, a destination city, a familiar coaching staff and, of course, McVay.
“Talking to Sean really sealed the deal on the phone,” Garoppolo said. “He had a vision, talked me through and really just explained what he saw my role as and just his football knowledge. I’ve heard it from so many different players and coaches, but to be here firsthand and get to experience it, that’s what I’m really excited about.”
The football pairing is natural. Garoppolo spent seven seasons in San Francisco under head coach Kyle Shanahan, the offensive coordinator during McVay’s formative career stop in Washington when both coaches developed many of their offensive…
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