The Cincinnati Bengals lost franchise quarterback Joe Burrow to a toe injury that will sideline him for most of the season. So, at 2-0, the Bengals could be looking to add a new quarterback to the mix — either to supplant or backup-turned-starter Jake Browning.

The Bengals are reportedly calling free agent quarterbacks, but that shouldn’t stop them from calling teams about possible trades. One such play that could be on their radar is Rams backup Jimmy Garoppolo. He’s experienced, has spent time in a similar offense (Bengals head coach Zac Taylor is Sean McVay’s ex-quarterbacks coach), and has started a lot of NFL games in his career.

But should the Rams execute such a bold trade for a good backup? Let’s explore.

Pro: Could Get Solid Compensation Back

It’s unclear what the Rams would ever even ask for in a trade of Garoppolo, but anything is more than they would receive if L.A. let him walk after 2025. Garoppolo will be 34 this season, and backups typically only cost teams mid- to late-round picks in trades. Garoppolo is a special case given his experience, though, and the Bengals’ desperation could led to a bigger return for the veteran.

Con: A Bare QB Room in L.A.

Part of the reason the Rams wanted to sign and keep Garoppolo was that he gives the team a competent backstop at quarterback if Matthew Stafford goes down with an injury. The Rams suffered mightily on offense when Stafford missed significant time in 2022, and Garoppolo proved in his lone start in 2024 that he can command the offense in Stafford’s stead. Without him, the Rams would need to turn to third-year pro Stetson Bennett — a player who’s never played a regular-season game and only just looked good in the preseason.

Pro: More Practice Reps for Bennett

If the Rams really like Bennett as a future quarterback, they’d need a reason to move him ahead of Garoppolo on the depth chart. Moving on from the veteran would give Bennett a path to more practice work alongside Stafford and some of the other starters and set him up better as a potential heir. With Garoppolo on the roster, Bennett is relegated to the scout team and the film room.

Pro: Cap Relief

It’s minor, but trading Garoppolo could save some salary cap space in 2025. Garoppolo currently counts $3,125,588 against the cap, with a $1.255 million base and a $1.75 million prorated signing bonus. Depending upon the terms the trade, general manager Les Snead could get some money taken off the books and use it elsewhere on the roster.

Verdict: Don’t Trade Garoppolo

While the cap relief and compensation could be nice for a veteran player on a one-year deal, Garoppolo is much more valuable to the Rams as a quality backup than he would be as a league-average starter for the Bengals. Garoppolo gives the Rams a higher floor in the event of a Stafford injury than Bennett would, and losing him could ruin the Rams season if the worst-case scenario unfolds.

—

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Should the Rams trade QB Jimmy Garoppolo to the Bengals?
Reporting by Tyler Greenawalt, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect