Jimmy Garoppolo wasn’t trying to make light of the reason he got a two-game suspension to start the 2024 season.
But, the explanation behind it is one that seems to embody the facepalm emoji.
Garoppolo told reporters during his introductory press conference with the Rams — whom he joined on a one-year deal — that the violation of the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs stemmed from an error he made in filing for a therapeutic use exemption for an unspecified substance.
“I just messed up the TUE, really,” Garoppolo said, per The Associated Press. “I hate to joke about it, but I messed up the TUE when I first got to Las Vegas. Bad timing, I guess.”
A TUE is a waiver that players can get, which allows them access to treatment that would otherwise be considered illegal under the league’s PED Policy and allows them to play while using the medication.
The news of Garoppolo’s two-game ban came almost simultaneously with the announcement he was being released by the Raiders.
Now Garoppolo will get a fresh start in Los Angeles under Rams head coach Sean McVay, who has helped boost the careers of other QBs, notably Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield.
“What Baker did, that was tremendous, incredible,” Garoppolo said. “Sean is a phenomenal offensive mind. A lot of the guys around here are. I think that played a big part. Reinventing, whatever you want to call it, a quarterback, having good people around you. It’s not all going to be done by you. You’ve got to have people around you to put you in a good position, call the right plays, all those little things. It’s an opportunity, and I got excited. It just seemed right.”
Garoppolo will back up Matthew Stafford, who led the Rams to a 10-win season and a playoff appearance in 2023.
Garoppolo threw 1,205 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and nine interceptions last season for the Raiders.