Santa Clara, CA – As the Los Angeles Rams prepare to face the San Francisco 49ers, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo affirmed his readiness for another opportunity to lead an NFL offense, stating emphatically, “Oh hell yeah.” The upcoming game is laden with significance for Garoppolo, bringing him face-to-face with figures from throughout his career.
Garoppolo, who backed up Tom Brady for 3 ½ seasons in New England, will be opposing a team now led by Brock Purdy, the 2022 seventh-round draft pick who rose to prominence after a late-season foot injury sidelined garoppolo in 2022. Purdy is currently battling a toe injury, perhaps opening a starting role for Mac Jones – Brady’s eventual replacement with the Patriots and a player once heavily considered by 49ers coach Kyle shanahan before he drafted Lance. jones is in line to make his eighth start.
The Rams’ sideline also holds familiar faces. Garoppolo shares a locker room with wide receiver Davante Adams, a former Raiders teammate who signed with the Rams in March. Their relationship experienced strain following the 2023 season, highlighted by Adams’ critical comments about Garoppolo’s throws in the Netflix docuseries “Receiver,” where Adams stated he ”signed off” on Garoppolo’s benching.
The two have since reconciled, with Adams telling ESPN radio’s “Sedano & Kap” that the issue “was never a personal thing,” attributing it to “a dark moment in all our lives.” garoppolo agreed, acknowledging a “weird year” but also noting the strong on-field chemistry they developed during training camp.
Currently serving as Matthew stafford’s backup, Garoppolo prepared as if he would be the Rams’ starter, particularly with Stafford’s status uncertain.He reflected on the rapid shift in training camp,stating,”S- happened rapid in training camp…As the season got closer and closer,it really started to become more real. I was preparing as if I was the starter.”
Garoppolo has a strong record against the 49ers, going 8-1 against them during his time with the 49ers, though he suffered a heartbreaking loss in the 2022 NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium after san Francisco led by 10 points in the fourth quarter. As joining the Rams, Los angeles has won two of three against San Francisco.
Describing himself as “an in-the-moment guy,” Garoppolo expressed his desire to contribute on the field, stating he has “never felt more ready.”
