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new era in the NFL is looming. In what has been an eventful offseason, several big name players are on new teams for the 2026 season, ending the old era of NFL football and ushering in a new one that brings more excitement and different things to watch out for next season. The offseason always creates interesting storylines for the fans and media, but for the teams and players, the offseason is about preparing for another long year and proving that they have what it takes to make a run at a Super Bowl.
But for other players, the offseason is a time for thinking and reflection. Each and every year, several players elect to retire and start a new chapter in their lives. Football is a tough game, and for many, a career can be over in the blink of an eye, whether it is from injuries, poor performance or other factors. This year, the NFL may see former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo call it quits– with the veteran signal caller reportedly mulling retirement.
Could Garoppolo Retire?
First reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and confirmed later on by ESPN, Garoppolo is considering retiring from the NFL after 12 seasons. Considered the top option for the Los Angeles Rams to return as the backup quarterback, Garoppolo’s career has gone on a steep decline since his departure from the 49ers following the 2022 season.
“Rams’ free agent QB Jimmy Garoppolo, considered their top option as backup QB, is considering retirement, sources say,” Rapoport tweeted. “Jimmy G, who has started 64 games during a 12-year career, has made over $156M in all. He is 34 and is mulling a final decision.”
Garoppolo spent the last two seasons as Matthew Stafford‘s backup in Los Angeles and while he is still viewed as a top backup in the NFL given his lengthy starting experience and strong playoff resume, that is a far cry from what he once was. The former starting quarterback for the 49ers, leading the team to Super Bowl LIV in 2019 and once one of the NFL’s highest paid quarterbacks, Garoppolo dealt with injuries over his last few seasons and struggled to regain his form. Now stuck as a career backup if he continues playing, retirement may make sense for Garoppolo given how he is no longer a difference maker.
Garoppolo’s Career
Drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Garoppolo spent his time with the Patriots as Tom Brady‘s backup, playing sparingly in his three and a half year tenure. But in 2016, while Brady was serving a four-game suspension, Garoppolo was named the starter to begin the year, playing well in Brady’s place. Throwing for 502 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions, Garoppolo went 2-0 in two games as the starter before suffering an AC joint that kept him sidelined for the final two games of Brady’s suspension.
But Garoppolo’s promise in those two games was enough for teams to start calling and midway through the 2017 season, the 49ers acquired him in a trade and made him their starting quarterback. Playing well in six games with 49ers that year, Garoppolo went into the ’18 season with high expectations but an ACL tear in week two ended his season and the 49ers’ hopes of returning to the playoffs.
Garoppolo finally broke out in 2019– playing in all 16 games while guiding the 49ers to a 13-3 record, the No. 1 seed in the NFC and a Super Bowl berth. Garoppolo missed 10 games in 2020 with an injury and despite solid seasons in 2021 and ’22, the 49ers moved onto Brock Purdy for 2023, leading to Garoppolo signing with the Las Vegas Raiders. Struggles with the Raiders in his lone season in ’23 led to his release after the season, and his time as a starter ended.
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