The Los Angeles Rams have been without starting quarterback Matthew Stafford in the early part of training camp due to a back injury. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport recently revealed the quarterback is dealing with an aggravated disc.
Stafford is currently listed as week-to-week, but is expected to be ready for the beginning of the season. Los Angeles has two backup quarterbacks, Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett, if Stafford isn’t healthy by then.
While Jimmy G has proven himself reliable in his past, the Rams could still add a four-time Pro Bowl QB to the mix.
CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin listed Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins as an emergency QB option for the Rams.
“There is little doubt Cousins would rush to be at the helm of Sean McVay’s offense, especially with sitting behind Michael Penix Jr. in Atlanta being the alternative. It’s also not difficult to connect dots between Cousins’ style — a timing-based play-action approach — and McVay’s schematic designs. The two previously worked together in Washington,” Benjamin wrote for CBS Sports.
“The holdup, of course, is that the Rams would never trade for Cousins while Stafford is capable of retaking the field. This is a logical, albeit “break glass”-level, scenario.”
Rams head coach Sean McVay spent 3 seasons as the offensive coordinator with Washington, with Cousins at QB.
Cousins’ put up his best passing yard seasons in McVay’s final season in D.C. before becoming the HC of the Rams. The quarterback threw for 4,917 yards and earned his first Pro Bowl selection.
With McVay calling plays in LA, it would give the Rams someone familiar with the system.
The Quarterback Room
GettyLos Angeles Rams quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo
If the Rams were to trade for Cousins, he would most likely have a battle with Jimmy G for the backup QB spot.
Garoppolo has been receiving more first-team reps with Stafford absent and has been receiving praise from his HC.
“I don’t see [Jimmy] as a backup quarterback. He’s a starting-caliber player,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said. “I’m really grateful he chose to come back to us. He had a lot of other options.”
“We love working with him… It’s a really special quarterback room in general. We do feel really lucky. But it’ll be great to get number nine back out there, but in the meantime, Jimmy’s holding it down and doing a really nice job.”
Bennett has yet to play a snap in the NFL since being drafted by the organization two years ago.
Cousins experience will put him above Bennett on the depth chart and could top Garoppolo.
Resources To Acquire Kirk Cousins
GettyAtlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins
The LA Rams would need to make a trade to acquire Kirk Cousins, as mentioned earlier.
Trading for the quarterback means eating the remainder of his four-year, $180 million contract, with $90 million guaranteed.
Eating up his contract would be difficult on a young, star-filled Rams roster that is looking to get paid in the future and key assets for the team.
If Cousins were to renegotiate and take a (massive) pay cut, the Rams could have their emergency QB option if Stafford is unable to play.
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