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18 hours ago
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The Los Angeles Rams are well-known as a team going all-in for the 2026 NFL season, and for good reason. Matthew Stafford is back for what might be the last year of his career.
With Puka Nacua and Davante Adams in need of new deals after 2026, the Rams are running out of time with this roster. To make the most of it, they are going all-in.
As part of going all-in, the Rams are showing interest in a high-quality backup quarterback for Stafford. Nate Atkins of The Athletic is reporting Sean McVay revealed that the Rams are interested in a former four-time Pro Bowl QB to back up Stafford.
Rams showing interest in expensive Stafford backup
"Sean McVay said the Rams are looking at Jimmy Garoppolo and Kirk Cousins for their backup QB role," Atkins reports. "Sure sounds like they want a veteran with experience behind Matthew Stafford this year."
Kirk Cousins, one of the best quarterbacks left available on the free agent market, and someone who could start for a team in 2026 and it would not be a surprise, is of interest to the Rams this offseason.
Garoppolo would make a lot more sense from a traditional angle, as he's already been with the team in recent years, and isn't a terrible backup quarterback option either.
But, when it comes to trying to win the Super Bowl amid their all-in 2026 NFL season, getting to turn to Cousins if Stafford were to miss any time would be a lot better than Garoppolo.
Cousins is a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback, most recently in 2022 with the Minnesota Vikings. Last year for the Atlanta Falcons, while he made just eight starts and played in 10 games, he was a solid quarterback.
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He went 5-3 with a 61.7% completion rate with 1,721 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions. While he had an NFL-most 16 interceptions in 2024 to go with his 18 touchdowns, Cousins looked a bit better in 2025.
Garoppolo hasn't had nearly that much work, only throwing 47 passes in the last two years. While Cousins would cost a bit more than any other quarterback, he would be a safe floor option for the Rams if Stafford misses any time in 2026.
As part of going all-in for the 2026 season, the Rams need to make sure they have a great quarterback to back up Stafford in case of an injury. If Stafford goes down, the Rams cannot implode; they need to still be competitive.
Cousins, the 14-year veteran who has 44,700 passing yards, 298 touchdowns, and 131 interceptions across 167 starts in his career, would be a fantastic backup option. The 37-year-old would be a great backup, and the Rams are showing interest this offseason.
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- Rams extend Trent McDuffie on $124 million four-year contract
- Puka Nacua, Byron Young, other 2023 draft picks expected to be extended by Rams
- Darious Williams announces retirement from Rams, NFL
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