Jimmy Garoppolo lands on a top-10 quarterback list (but not that kind of list)

According to CBS Sports, Jimmy Garoppolo is a top-10 quarterback... of the backup variety.

It's been a pretty wild ride for former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, whose last couple of years with the Niners were controversial at best and resulted in an unceremonious departure via free agency following the 2022 season.

One in which he suffered yet another season-ending injury, leading to the emergence of San Francisco's new franchise signal-caller, Brock Purdy.

A free agent for the first time in his career, Jimmy G signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on a three-year deal to reunite with his former offensive coordinator with the New England Patriots, then-Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels.

But that went ugly in a hurry. Garoppolo struggled, was benched halfway through the year and McDaniels was fired, all before the quarterback was released after just one year into that contract.

Now, and in light of PED violations that result in a two-game suspension heading into 2024, Garoppolo returns to the NFC West.

As a member of the Los Angeles Rams.

CBS Sports names Jimmy Garoppolo as a top-10 backup

It's probably safe to assume head coach Kyle Shanahan maxed out Garoppolo's effectiveness as a signal-caller, and even the quarterback's efforts had limitations.

In LA, Garoppolo joins a Shanahan-like offense under head coach Sean McVay, and Jimmy G doesn't have to immediately worry about the pressures of being a starter. Matthew Stafford is still the bona fide No. 1 under center, leaving Garoppolo to hold the clipboard on the sideline as a go-to backup.

CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin looks at Garoppolo as a top-10 one of those quarterbacks, ranking him out at No. 6 overall in this category:

"Garoppolo's one post-San Francisco 49ers gig went south in a hurry, with the Las Vegas Raiders quickly washing their hands of the streaky pocket passer. Injuries are a bigger concern; in 10 years, he's played a full season exactly once. But the Rams have some of the game's top ascending skill talent with youngsters like Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua, plus a reinforced interior line. If Matthew Stafford's own injury history rears its head, Sean McVay might still be able to squeeze a playoff push out of the former division rival."

Stafford does have an injury reputation, as does Garoppolo. But, at least in a friendlier context than what he experienced out in Vegas, Garoppolo should favor better in Los Angeles despite the Rams being stuck somewhere between a fringe competitor and a team in need of a massive overhaul.

In a pinch, Garoppolo can help win games. Even Niners fans can admit that.

Interestingly enough, San Francisco's own backup to Purdy, Josh Dobbs, made the same list at No. 7 overall.

The best backup quarterback, per Benjamin? The Kansas City Chiefs' Carson Wentz.

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