The Los Angeles Rams’ quarterback situation appears stable for now, with veteran Matthew Stafford firmly locked in as the starter for the foreseeable future—or at least until he decides to hang up his cleats. But the future of Jimmy Garoppolo, the team’s presumed backup quarterback, could take a turn if trade speculation involving an NFC rival materializes.
Former NFL scout Daniel Kelly recently stirred conversation by suggesting that Garoppolo, a seasoned signal-caller with stints on the Patriots, 49ers, and Raiders, might be the answer to the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback concerns. On May 24, Kelly took to X (formerly Twitter) to deliver a bold prediction about Minnesota’s rookie quarterback.
“J.J. McCarthy is the next Trey Lance,” Kelly wrote, casting doubt on the former Michigan standout’s immediate viability as a starter. “With Kevin O’Connell’s background with the Rams and Sean McVay, I wonder out loud if he will end up trading for Garoppolo, and Garoppolo will end up leading the Vikings at some point this season.”
While Garoppolo and Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell have never worked together directly, their professional paths have crossed in intriguing ways. Both were drafted by the New England Patriots—O’Connell in the fourth round of 2008, and Garoppolo in the second round of 2014. Though they didn’t overlap in New England, their coaching and playing careers have shared similar trajectories. O’Connell was a staffer with the 49ers in 2016 before Garoppolo arrived, and he later served as offensive coordinator with the Rams during their 2021 Super Bowl campaign. Garoppolo joined the Rams via free agency a few years after O’Connell moved on to Minnesota.
Trade Scenario: Jimmy Garoppolo for Mekhi Blackmon
Speculation has now gone beyond idle curiosity, with Heavy Sports proposing a trade between the Rams and Vikings that would send Garoppolo to Minnesota in exchange for cornerback Mekhi Blackmon. The potential deal could help both teams address key needs.
Trade Proposal:
- Rams receive: CB Mekhi Blackmon
- Vikings receive: QB Jimmy Garoppolo
Blackmon, a third-round pick (No. 102 overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft, had a modest but promising rookie season, logging 41 tackles, eight pass breakups, one interception, and a fumble recovery over 15 games, including three starts. However, the cornerback suffered a torn ACL during the opening practice of the 2024 training camp and missed the entire season. With the Vikings having revamped their secondary in his absence, Blackmon could face an uphill battle for playing time in 2025.
From a cap perspective, the trade is feasible. Garoppolo is under contract for one year at $3 million, while Blackmon is still on his rookie deal—four years for $5.3 million. Both franchises have enough cap flexibility to absorb the financial impact without much strain.
Risk vs. Reward: Rams’ QB Room Takes a Hit Without Jimmy G
While sending Garoppolo to Minnesota might help the Rams gain depth in the secondary, it would leave their quarterback room dangerously thin. The only other option behind Stafford is Stetson Bennett IV, a 2023 fourth-round pick who has yet to take a snap in a regular-season NFL game.
The risk is clear. Stafford, now 37, has a history of nagging injuries, and the Rams are positioned as legitimate contenders following a narrow loss in last season’s NFC Championship Game. Trading away Garoppolo—who, despite inconsistency, is a proven starter—would mean gambling on Bennett’s readiness or scrambling to find a viable free-agent replacement midseason.
Given the stakes, Los Angeles may demand more than an injury-recovering cornerback in return. Garoppolo serves as a crucial insurance policy for a team with playoff aspirations, and the Rams would be wise to consider the long-term consequences of parting with him too soon.
In conclusion, while Jimmy Garoppolo-to-Minnesota is a compelling idea that connects dots between personnel histories and current team needs, it would take a carefully structured offer to convince the Rams to thin their quarterback depth in a season where they hope to make another Super Bowl run.
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