Getty Image / Kevin Sabitus
Sean McVay is somehow going into his eighth season as the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams. He’s already put together a Hall of Fame-type resume as an offensive innovator and an excellent head coach.
He’s most well-known for the work he’s done in his career with quarterbacks in his Shanahan-esque scheme. Now, the Rams bringing in another Shanahan-style quarterback to back up Matthew Stafford
Jimmy Garoppolo is signing with the Los Angeles Rams after spending last season with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Rams are signing former Raiders and 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo, per source..
NFL suspended Garoppolo two games for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2024
Of course, the Shanahan tree connections come from the Garoppolo’s time in San Francisco. He spent parts of six years in San Francisco, starting 55 games in parts of seven seasons from 2017-2023. He threw for 82 touchdowns and 42 interceptions while going an impressive 38-17 in starts in the regular season. Furthermore, he had playoff success, too, and led the team to a Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl LIV and another NFC Championship Game appearance as well.
Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay both coached under Kyle’s dad, Mike, when he was the head coach of the Washington Commanders. McVay was there from 2010-2016, and Kyle Shanahan was there 2010-2013, the years his dad was the head coach. They run pretty similar offensive schemes, and Garoppolo should be able to step right and understand much of the terminology pretty immediately.
Things did not go well for Jimmy Garoppolo in Las Vegas last year. In six starts, he threw for 7 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, though the team did go 3-3. That being said, he will be one of the league’s very best backups and is a guy who can come in if Matthew Stafford were to get hurt and win games.