Who Should I Start? Jimmy Garoppolo or Sam Darnold

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.

Thursday, June 19, 12:24 PM

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold had a career year in 2024 with the Minnesota Vikings, completing 66.2% of his passes for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 17 regular-season games to lead Minnesota to a 14-3 record. However, the former third overall pick in 2018 finished on a sour note in his final two games and knows he must prove himself again in 2025 with a new team. Darnold has familiarity with new Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak from their one year together in San Fran in 2023, but the move from Minnesota to Seattle is definitely a downgrade in terms of overall offense and the weapons he'll have in Seattle. The 28-year-old was excellent throwing downfield in 2024, but it helped to have one of the best receivers in the league in Justin Jefferson. Fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting a repeat of 2024, when Darnold finished as the QB9.