Free agent quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is reportedly a "strong option" for the Arizona Cardinals, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Sunday (March 1).

Garoppolo, 34, is reportedly very close with new head coach Mike LaFleur and the team has interest, according to Fowler.

"That's his guy," a league source told Fowler, who predicts LaFleur can create a clean path at quarterback in his first season following reports that the team planned to release starter Kyler Murray barring a last-minute trade. Garoppolo spent the past two seasons as the Los Angeles Rams' backup behind NFL MVP Matthew Stafford.

"Something to keep in mind with Garoppolo: He has one of the league's best QB2 jobs with the Rams, who would welcome him back. Joining Green Bay as a No. 2 is also an option," Fowler wrote regarding the quarterback's decision to potentially re-sign with Los Angeles.

Garoppolo has a career record of 43-21 as a starter, which included a 38-17 record during six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, as well as having thrown for 334 yards, two touchdowns and one interception during one start and four appearances for the Rams. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Murray was expected to be released during his live report from the NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday.

"You got Kyler Murray, a likely release from the Arizona Cardinals, absent some sort of last-minute trade, which I'd be a little surprised about," Rapoport said during NFL Network's live broadcast from the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Murray was limited to just five starts in 2025 due to a mid-foot sprain he sustained in Week 5 and was shut down in December after it was reported that his injury was not healing as expected. The former Heisman Trophy winner was selected by the Cardinals at No. 1 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft and was the 2019 NFL Rookie of the Year, as well as a Pro Bowler during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, but has been limited by injuries, having played 11 or less games in three of the last four seasons.

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