One of many issues the Los Angeles Rams entrance workplace needed to do that offseason was to discover a strong, dependable backup for quarterback Matthew Stafford. And Sean McVay and his employees had their eyes on a really perfect participant for that function in former Washington Commanders starter Sam Howell.
Howell turned some heads in his time in Washington. Whereas he definitely had some ups and downs, throwing for 21 touchdowns, but in addition throwing 21 interceptions, he confirmed that he’s an NFL caliber quarterback who merely wants a little bit of high quality tuning.
However the Rams have been unable to commerce for Howell as Washington despatched him to the division rival Seattle Seahawks and NFL Community’s Mike Garafolo reported that it was merely a matter of the Seahawks outbidding the Rams on a commerce, through Puck Sports activities:
.@MikeGarafolo with a great nugget on the commerce for Sam Howell and who the @Seahawks have been competing with for his companies. pic.twitter.com/P3FYnlKiag
— Puck (@Puck2040) April 4, 2024
Howell was traded by Washington, together with a fourth and sixth-round decide within the 2024 NFL Draft, to Seattle for a 3rd and fifth-round decide. Whereas the Rams have all the time been aggressive in being keen to surrender no matter it takes to get the gamers they need, going too massive for a backup quarterback merely didn’t make sense.
There isn’t a doubt that Howell would have been a really perfect addition so it is smart why the Rams had curiosity. At 23 years previous, Howell is youthful than a number of the prime quarterback prospects on this 12 months’s draft so there’s nonetheless loads of room for enchancment and growth. And there’s no higher method to enhance than to play below Sean McVay.
Howell may have been a trusted backup with beginning expertise who may probably develop right into a starter as soon as Matthew Stafford’s enjoying days have been achieved. However as a substitute Seattle was keen to go slightly deeper to land him and the Rams needed to flip elsewhere for his or her backup quarterback.
Rams signal former 49ers and Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo
The place the Rams would flip is to a extra established veteran in Jimmy Garoppolo, who the group signed to a one-year deal. Garoppolo will probably be suspended for the primary two video games of the season after violating the NFL’s Efficiency Enhancing Medication coverage, however each side are excited in regards to the partnership.
Garoppolo famous that he had a number of choices in his free company course of, however he appreciated the professionalism of the Rams franchise. He additionally added that when he was capable of discuss with McVay and decide his mind, it grew to become a straightforward alternative.
