As he did last year, Matthew Stafford will wrap up the regular season on the sidelines. Sean McVay announced on Wednesday that the Los Angeles Rams will rest Stafford in Sunday’s finale against the Seattle Seahawks, giving him a break before the postseason starts.
Stafford has played all 16 games so far this season and has also taken every snap, so he’s deserving of a little rest ahead of the playoffs.
In his place, Jimmy Garoppolo will get the start at quarterback. It will be his first opportunity to play for the Rams since signing as a free agent this offseason; he has yet to take a snap all year, including the preseason.
Sean McVay announces Jimmy Garoppolo will start at QB this Sunday vs. Seahawks.
Matthew Stafford will rest
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) January 1, 2025
McVay added that Rob Havenstein won’t play against the Seahawks as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury that he suffered in practice last week, causing him to miss Saturday’s game against the Cardinals. McVay sounds confident Havenstein will be available for the beginning of the playoffs, though.
The team is currently working through which other players will rest this week, determining who will be held out until the wild-card round. McVay said on Monday that he’s leaning toward resting players like he did in 2017 and 2023, so that’s likely to include Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp and others.
