Details of Jimmy Garoppolo’s new contract with the Los Angeles Rams have emerged six years after he was once the top earner in the NFL.
Garoppolo, who faces a two-game suspension at the start of the 2024 season for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, joined the Rams after being released by the Las Vegas Raiders. This move came just a year after signing a three-year, $72.75 million deal with the Raiders to serve as their starting quarterback.
In his deal with the Raiders, Garoppolo was initially set to earn $24.5 million annually, a reduction from the $27.5 million he was making following his 2018 extension with the San Francisco 49ers.
However, his $11.25 million guarantee was nullified following his positive PED test, resulting in a violation of the NFL’s Performance Enhancing Substances Policy. Garoppolo has taken responsibility for his actions, acknowledging that he “messed up” and expressing a desire for a fresh start after a challenging period.
Struggling with injuries and poor performance that led to losing his starting role, Garoppolo sought a new opportunity in free agency, ultimately landing with the Rams as the backup to Super Bowl-winning quarterback Matthew Stafford. Yet, the details of his contract indicate a significant decline in earnings.
His deal with the Rams, initially undisclosed, has now been revealed. According to NFL Network reports, Garoppolo’s base salary will be $4.5 million, with potential bonuses raising the total to $12 million. These bonuses likely hinge on him becoming the starting quarterback at SoFi Stadium, particularly if Stafford faces further injury setbacks.
Following a lackluster stint in Las Vegas, where he struggled to solidify his place within the team and was eventually surpassed by rookie Aidan O’Connell, Garoppolo faced limited interest from other teams before being released and replaced by Gardner Minshew.
Now serving as the backup in Los Angeles, Garoppolo’s salary aligns more closely with other backups in the league, such as Drew Lock (New York Giants) and Marcus Mariota (Washington Commanders), who signed deals averaging around $5 million annually.
Garoppolo’s tenure with the Raiders was marked by difficulties, including a low touchdown-interception ratio and an injury that prevented him from reclaiming his starting position. Should Stafford face further injury setbacks, Garoppolo is poised to step in, albeit unlikely to vie for the starting spot unless circumstances change.
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