Who Should I Start? Jimmy Garoppolo or Aidan O'Connell

Monday, March 10, 1:04 PM

Free-agent quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is signing back with the Los Angeles Rams on a one-year deal, according to ESPN. The 33-year-old signed with Los Angeles last offseason to back up Matthew Stafford and will return in that role for the 2025 campaign. Garoppolo has thrown for 15,828 yards, 96 touchdowns, and 52 interceptions in 82 career games with the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Rams. He appeared in one game last season, posting 334 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. While Jimmy G won't see significant playing time barring a Stafford injury, he's worth stashing in deeper Superflex or two-QB formats. If Stafford has to miss any time next season, Garoppolo would be throwing to Puka Nacua and Davante Adams and could have low-end QB1 upside.

Friday, April 11, 12:07 PM

The Las Vegas Raiders signed quarterback Geno Smith to a two-year, $75 million contract extension this offseason, but it's extremely team-friendly, and The Athletic's Vic Tafur thinks bringing in a young QB in this year's NFL draft to learn behind Smith makes sense. Tafur also thinks the Raiders might trade backup Aidan O'Connell on draft weekend. The Raiders have a clear out with Smith after 2026, as they guaranteed only $18.5 of his $26.5 million 2026 salary, and none of the $39.5 million he's due to make in 2027. Minority owner Tom Brady likes the idea of rookie QBs sitting and learning, and the Raiders will have some interesting options later in the draft in what is considered a down year for QBs. Tafur doesn't think it makes much sense to take Colorado's Shedeur Sanders at No. 6 overall, and a good number of QBs could be off the board by the team's second pick at No. 37 overall.