Aaron Rodgersisn't the only high-profile, free-agent quarterbackstill considering retirementahead of the 2026 NFL season.
Jimmy Garoppolois also considering calling it a career after 12 seasons,NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reports.
Rapoport did not outline a timeline for Garoppolo to reach a decision. He simply noted the 34-year-old quarterback was "mulling a final decision."
2026 NFL DRAFT:These 10 NFL teams have the most at stake
Quarterbacks headline early evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft as teams begin sorting the best available prospects at the position.See the college quarterbacks drawing attention as draft boards take shape ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Above, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide scrambles during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026, in Pasadena, California.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Garrett Nussmeier of the LSU Tigers drops back to pass against the Baylor Bears during the first half in the Kinder's Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 31, 2024, in Houston, Texas.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Cade Klubnik of the Clemson Tigers warms up during the first half of a football game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 29, 2025, in Columbia, South Carolina.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Drew Allar of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl Stadium on October 04, 2025, in Pasadena, California.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Miami's Carson Beck throws during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green passes during the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Colorado Buffaloes linebacker LaVonta Bentley #20 tackles North Dakota State Bison quarterback Cole Payton #9 in the first half at Folsom Field.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Luke Altmyer of the Illinois Fighting Illini throws a pass against the Western Illinois Leathernecks during the first half at Memorial Stadium on August 29, 2025, in Champaign, Illinois.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores makes adjustments prior to the snap during the second quarter of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 01, 2025, in Austin, Texas.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Quarterbacksheadline early evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft as teams begin sorting the best available prospects at the position.See the college quarterbacks drawing attention as draft boards take shape ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.Above, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Garoppolo has played for four different teams since being selected by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He has a career record of 43-21 across 64 starts – most of which came across six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers – and has completed 67.4% of his passes for 15,828 yards, 96 touchdowns and 52 interceptions while posting a 97.6 passer rating.
Garoppolo spent the last two seasons as a backup with the Rams. He has played sparingly – completing 27 of 41 passes for 334 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in one start – but has provided the Rams a proven, veteran option with Super Bowl experience behindMatthew Stafford.
Advertisement
Garoppolo was favored to occupy that role again in 2026, as Rapoport noted. But if the 34-year-old does call it quits, the Rams may need to consider adding a replacement for him as they look to remain a contender during the twilight of the 38-year-old Stafford's career.
Los Angeles RamsQB depth chart
The Rams currently have just two quarterbacks on their 90-man roster: Stafford and 2023 fourth-round pickStetson Bennett IV.
It isn't clear whether Los Angeles would trust Bennett – who has never played an NFL snap – to be its top backup for the 2026 NFL season. Even if the Rams are willing to do so, they will still need to add a third-string quarterback to the fold.
Rams QB options
Given the Rams' Super Bowl aspirations, they may want to target an experienced quarterback to back up Stafford. Below are the best, non-Garoppolo backup options remaining on the free agent market:
The Rams could also consider adding a mid-round talent to serve as a backup and groom as a long-term successor for Stafford. That could put players like Garrett Nussmeier, Drew Allar and Carson Beck on Los Angeles' radar.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Is Jimmy Garoppolo retiring? Rams QB options if veteran calls it quits
