In the first signs of distress, the Las Vegas Raiders benched Jimmy Garoppolo just months after signing him to a three-year, $72 million contract. Now, Garoppolo’s been suspended for the first two games of the 2024 season after violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy.
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It’s only a matter of time before the Raiders move on from Garoppolo, likely by releasing him from his contract. Once he’s a free agent, Garoppolo is expected to receive plenty of interest, even if it’s not in an immediate starting role.
But which teams could be the best landing spots for Garoppolo? Here are give that could make the most sense.
Pittsburgh Steelers use Garoppolo to put pressure on Kenny Pickett
Two years after making Kenny Pickett the 20th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers are ready to bring in competition for their soon-to-be 26-year-old QB. And it may not be in the form of another top pick.
This means adding a veteran like Jimmy Garoppolo could make a lot of sense in Pittsburgh. Like the Steelers, Garoppolo rarely has a ‘bad’ season. While last year may have been an outlier for Jimmy G, he does have a career win-loss record of 43-20, showing he knows how to play smart football, even if he’s not built to be the main component of a high-powered offense.
Garoppolo serves as bridge solution for Denver Broncos
Eager to move on from Russell Wilson, the Denver Broncos aren’t exactly in a prime position to land a top quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft either. Barring a big trade up from the 12th pick, the Broncos may be forced to turn to free agency, where the top options are players like Kirk Cousins, Wilson, and Jimmy Garoppolo.
Cousins seems poised to return to Minnesota, and even if the Broncos become sold on another QB prospect who slips to No. 12 like J.J. McCarthy or someone else, having a capable veteran like Jimmy G could lead to a smoother transition for any incoming rookie in 2024.
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New York Jets add Garoppolo as Aaron Rodgers insurance
Signs point to the New York Jets trading Zach Wilson this offseason, leaving the New York Jets with even less depth than they had behind Aaron Rodgers heading into 2024. They could turn to a young draft prospect to start developing a long-term solution, but if this team is all in on a Super Bowl run, there may not be a better option than a player who already has experience in the playoffs like Jimmy Garoppolo.
Not only does Garoppolo have a 4-2 record in the postseason, he’s even started a Super Bowl and won one as a backup with the New England Patriots. The hope is Rodgers stays healthy for a full season, but having a QB ready to go with as much experience as Garoppolo wouldn’t be a bad plan B for the Jets next season.
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New York Giants bring in Jimmy G to back up Daniel Jones
Tommy DeVito showed he belongs in the NFL, but the New York Giants may not see him as a potential starting QB. Jimmy Garoppolo has already proven he can be a capable starter and then some. Just as the Giants sought out a high-level backup by signing Tyrod Taylor, they’ll need another QB2 to provide insurance in case of another Daniel Jones injury.
With other needs to fill, the Giants likely can’t afford to commit more draft capital to a young QB, and they already have DeVito on hand as a developmental option anyway. Adding a proven veteran like Garoppolo ensures the Giants won’t have to worry about who’s quarterbacking the offense in 2024.
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Jimmy Garoppolo reunites with Mike McDaniel on Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa stayed healthy for the Miami Dolphins in 2023, and obviously that’s the expectation going forward too. But this is the NFL, where backups are always just a snap away from seeing action, and Mike McDaniel has plans of this being a Super Bowl-bound team.
Yet, without Tagovailoa in the lineup, the Dolphins’ floor falls to a team that won’t be able to hang with many teams in the NFL. Skylar Thompson may be a capable backup, but can he win in the playoffs?
Coach McDaniel knows Jimmy Garoppolo can, from their time together on the San Francisco 49ers. If the 32 QB hits free agency, expect the Dolphins to consider signing McDaniel’s former QB as the top backup option to Tagovailoa, ensuring Miami has two players capable of leading an effective offense.
