The Los Angeles Rams are headed back to the NFC championship game for the third time on head coach Sean McVay and the second time with Matthew Stafford under center.
But another Rams player has been to even more conference title games than both McVay and Stafford: quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. This year will mark Garoppolo’s seventh conference championship on an active roster, which is tied for the third-most by a quarterback in NFL history with the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes. Only Tom Brady (14) and Joe Montana (8) have been to more.
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Garoppolo has been to seven on three different teams: Three with the New England Patriots as Brady’s backup, three with the San Francisco 49ers as their starter and now once with the Rams.
It’s an impressive feat despite only being the starter in three of those seven appearances, but it shows that Garoppolo is both a valued backup and is also lucky to end up in such successful organizations.
The Patriots drafted Garoppolo to be Brady’s successor, where he watch New England go to three consecutive AFC title games from 2014 to 2016, two of which ended in Super Bowl victorys.
After being traded to the 49ers, Garoppolo went to three NFC title games again, but as the starter, in 2019, 2021 and 2022. He went 1-2 in those games and lost his lone Super Bowl appearance. And now, as Stafford’s backup, Garoppolo isn’t expected to do anything but stay warm on the sidelines unless catastrophe strikes.
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In total, Garoppolo’s teams are 3-3 in conference title games. So this one will ultimately decide if Garoppolo is good luck or not for his team.
Garoppolo is an impending free agent as well, so there’s a chance he’ll get a shot at being a starter again in the NFL as soon as next season. He could also be the planned successor to Stafford should the Rams’ current starter leave.
Either way, it’s funny to think that Garoppolo has been to his team’s conference title game in seven of his 12 years in the league.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Only 2 QBs have more conference title appearances than Jimmy Garoppolo
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