Las Vegas Raiders release quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. What next for the veteran?
The veteran quarterback now finds himself without a team to play for as the Raiders seemingly opted to create more cap space to work with going forward.
With the Las Vegas Raiders looking to build a more competitive roster, there were always going to be a few changes. Yet, it does place one of the NFL’s longest-serving signal callers in an awkward position. With that said, there are a number of teams in the league that could benefit from a player with as much as experience as Jimmy Garoppolo
Raiders and Jimmy Garoppolo part ways
According to reports on Wednesday, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was released by the Las Vegas Raiders on the first day of the new league year. With the move, the franchise has freed up $19 million in salary-cap space. It’s worth noting that Garoppolo wasn’t the only one let go by the time, with wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, backup quarterback Brian Hoyer, and defensive tackle Jerry Tillery also being released.
While it does raise an eyebrow, Garoppolo’s departure does not come as a surprise. On Monday, the Raiders secured the services of free agent quarterback Gardner Minshew after he left the Indianapolis Colts. Minshew’s deal is understood to be a two-year, $25 million contract and will likely see him providing competition for Aidan O’Connell who replaced Garoppolo as the starter when Antonio Pierce took over the team. With that, Garoppolo leaves just one year after joining the Raiders and slightly less than a year after putting pen to paper on a three-year, $72.75 million deal with $33.75 million guaranteed. Yet, if we’re honest it was not a great year for the 32-year-old who posted career lows in completion (65.1%), passer rating (77.7%), and QBR (34.2%) in the six games that he played.
Jimmy Garoppolo’s time in Las Vegas wasn’t great
No, it wasn’t. Indeed, Garoppolo’s time in Vegas was fraught with issues from the very start. Do recall that the team refused to validate his contract until he had passed a physical because he required an operation on his left foot at the time. Then, there was the campaign itself in which he suffered a concussion as well as a back injury. Ultimately he played in only seven games, passing for 1,205 yards and nine interceptions.
Incidentally, Garoppolo’s release comes days before his $11.25 million roster bonus was due. The Raiders will also save on the guaranteed $11.25 million base salary he was owed, due to a two-game suspension that came as a result of violating his violation of the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. “I just want to get back to playing, honestly,” Garoppolo said during his exit interviews. “That’s why I play this game. ... I love to win. Honestly, what I think I’m here for is just to go out there and get wins. As a football player, it’s something you’ve got to embrace. Not everyone wants that. Some people just want statistics and things like that. I really just want to go out there and win. I really enjoy doing it. That’s what we’re here for.”
With that, the curtain comes down on Garoppolo’s time in Sin City. Yet, as mentioned before, he’s not the only one. There were also parting words from wide receiver Hunter Renfrow who posted a message on social media. “Raider Nation, thank you for welcoming me and my family in the last 5 years. From Oakland to Vegas it felt like home. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without my teammates and coaches inspiring me every single day. 5 years went by quick......’Once a Raider Always a Raider.’”