One of the glaring weaknesses for the Los Angeles Rams happens to be the backup quarterback, but why are they waiting so long?
There are not many alarm-ringing roster holes for the Los Angeles Rams. After bringing back talent like tight end Tyler Higbee and safety Kam Curl, the team also traded for and signed All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie and signed his teammate, Jaylen Watson.
With a rounded out secondary, and a collection of veterans that remain on the team from years past, there is only one major question left: who will be the backup quarterback?
The Rams may not need to rush into signing any quarterback, simply because they think that Jimmy Garoppolo will return to the team in 2026. However, he might also be angling for a better chance with another quarterback-hungry team.
The issue with Los Angeles waiting so long is that most of the would-be solid backups have already been signed elsewhere.
Former Miami Dolphins starter Tua Tagovailoa joined the Atlanta Falcons and will be in competition with Michael Penix. Whoever does not get the job will be a top backup.
Former Arizona Cardinals lead man Kyler Murray has joined the Minnesota Vikings and will compete with J.J. McCarthy to be under center for 2026.
Former New York Jets passer Justin Fields is now the quarterback to presumably start for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs until Mahomes returns from injury.
The point is the teams that were the ones searching for backups have already sorted those out, and the Rams appear to be the odd man out. They cannot also wait and hope that Garoppolo will sign back to Los Angeles, because he could get a chance with another team, like the Las Vegas Raiders.
Despite picking No. 1 overall and the consensus being the Raiders will take Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, he may not start his first season. Garoppolo knows the team well, and could be called on as the bridge quarterback to guide the ship while Mendoza gets ready.
The Rams could be biding their time to see what could be out there, but the current options are older vets that might want one more shot at starting.
Aaron Rodgers may return to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he is unlikely to play his presumed final season as a backup. Kirk Cousins is in the same boat, as he was released by the Falcons, but being a backup might not be what he will accept.
There is longtime veteran Joe Flacco, who also remains unsigned. The Rams could take a chance on him, but Garoppolo is the better choice.
Zach Wilson may also be an option, assuming the Dolphins do not plan to bring him back as a backup to Malik Willis, which is unlikely due to Quinn Ewers being on the roster.
Los Angeles may also have some more confidence in Stetson Bennett IV, but he has shown in the past that he should remain as that third-string emergency quarterback.
The number and talent of backup quarterbacks have dwindled greatly, and unless the Rams are planning on taking Ty Simpson with their No. 13 overall pick, they had better get to work on signing someone.