QB Jimmy Garoppolo still potential option for Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals might have another option at quarterback. According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, free agent quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is open to playing in 2026.

The Cardinals targeted Garoppolo early in free agency, but contract talks broke down and he did not sign with them. Garoppolo has a good relationship with Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur. They were together the last two seasons when Garoppolo was the backup quarterback for the LA Rams, and the entire time LaFleur was passing game coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers from 2017-2020.

Per Garafolo, "in the right situation, he will come back," after he considered retirement.

The Cardinals have been in a contract dispute with Jacoby Brissett all offseason. They signed Minshew and drafted Carson Beck.

Now, would the Cardinals be "the right situation?" That is questionable. Generally speaking, "the right situation" would come down to role (potentially starting), money or whether the team has a legitimate chance to be a contender.

Would the Cardinals bring him in late to be the starter like they did with Josh Dobbs in 2023?

He would know the offense, he has started a ton of games in his career and he has won a lot. However, he has not been a starter since 2023 and he was hampered by injuries in both the last two seasons he was a starter.

Don't expect it, but Garoppolo is still perhaps an option.

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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: QB Jimmy Garoppolo still potential option for Arizona Cardinals