Jimmy Garoppolo could emerge as QB option for AFC team

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 10: Jimmy Garoppolo #11 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on January 10, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Before hanging up his cleats, Los Angeles Rams backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo might want to wait out the Broncos. Bo Nix had a second procedure on his surgically repaired right ankle, which could pave the way for Garoppolo to get another NFL opportunity.

Nix fractured his ankle on the game-winning drive in overtime in a Divisional Round win over the Bills in January. The injury forced him to sit out of the biggest game of his young career. Had he started the AFC Championship, Denver might've advanced to the Super Bowl, but we'll never know.

Now, all the armchair QBs and a fair chunk of Broncos Country are panicking over the development, but initial reports indicate this isn't as big a deal as everyone's making it out to be.

For #Broncos QB Bo Nix, having a follow-up cleanup procedure after a fractured ankle is not rare or unexpected and he's still expected to be ready for the season.

That said, don't be surprised if the team takes it very easy with him this spring. pic.twitter.com/D6qOmjRFhH

- Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 29, 2026

Still, Nix has a concerning history of ankle problems dating back to his high school playing days. According to Draft Sharks, he broke his right ankle in November 2021 during his final season at Auburn. There is a notable, troubling pattern of right ankle problems that have followed Nix to the pros.

While again, they may not seem like the biggest deal right now with training camp months away, setbacks are always a possibility - and that's where Garoppolo comes in.

Jarrett Stidham proved in the AFC Championship that he isn't a capable backup to Nix in the Mile High City. Of course, he was put in an impossible situation. Yet, Garoppolo has been in big games like that before, so he'd be better equipped to handle it if the opportunity presented itself. The injury concerns with Nix will linger, even if he's healthy enough to begin the regular season.

Denver will likely be in the mindset of it's better to be safe than sorry, which is why their front office should prioritize a seasoned veteran like Garoppolo. Plus, Garoppolo, like Sean Payton, is an Eastern Illinois University alumnus, so Panthers must have each other's backs - a line I especially hated writing since I'm a proud Illinois State grad. Go Birds!

Garoppolo can always decide to retire, and the Rams will be prepared with rookie quarterback Ty Simpson in the fold. However, if the Broncos require a veteran QB's services closer to the regular season, Garoppolo should be on standby just to be safe.