We’ve known it was coming for weeks. The Las Vegas Raiders opting to move off quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo after just one season.
Garoppolo signed a three-year, $72.5 million contract last spring. He proceeded to start just six games before then-interim head coach Antonio Pierce benched the Super Bowl quarterback. Garoppolo would end up throwing seven touchdowns compared to nine interceptions in the process.
The Raiders made Garoppolo’s release official on Wednesday with a post-June 1 designation to save money against the 2024 NFL salary cap. This comes after Vegas signed fellow veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew during the legal NFL free agent tampering period.
Garoppolo, 32, is no longer a realistic starting quarterback option. However, he can help a team create competition under center or act as a top-end backup in an NFL that is largely without that type of player.
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Looking at 4 potential Jimmy Garoppolo landing spots
Despite several veteran signal callers latching on with new teams thus far in NFL free agency, there are a number of quarterback-needy squads out there. Here is a look at four options for Garoppolo on the open market.
- Minnesota Vikings: The Vikes lost long-time starter Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, replacing him with former first-round bust Sam Darnold. This can’t possibly be the extent of the Vikings’ veteran additions leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft. Darnold has thrown all of 63 touchdowns compared to 56 interceptions since the New York Jets made him a top-three pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He’s not the answer. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was with the San Francisco 49ers when they acquired Garoppolo from the New England Patriots during the 2017 season. There is a fit here.
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- Denver Broncos: This almost makes too much sense for several reasons. First off, the Broncos officially released Russell Wilson on Wednesday with a record dead cap hit. The team is not going to be in position to add any type of salary to this position during the remainder of the offseason. Right now, Jarrett Stidham would be the Broncos’ starting quarterback. They are likely going to add a quarterback in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. But signing a stopgap starter on the cheap should be in the cards for Sean Payton and Co.
Jimmy Garoppolo career stats: 67.4% completion, 15,494 yards, 94 TD, 51 INT
- Chicago Bears: General manager Ryan Poles and Co. did sign Brett Rypien during the first day of NFL free agency. He’s not anywhere near a QB2 option behind what will likely be No. 1 pick Caleb Williams from USC. Meanwhile, the Bears are going to trade Justin Fields at some point between now and the draft. Why not add this Arlington Heights native on the cheap as a veteran option behind Williams? It just makes too much sense.
- San Francisco 49ers: Wouldn’t this be something? The aforementioned Darnold is no longer QB2 in San Francisco. Instead, the reigning NFC Champions are going to rely on Brandon Allen for that role behind Brock Purdy. We’re not buying it. He’s thrown 10 touchdowns in nine starts since entering the NFL as a member of the Broncos back in 2019. Why not see if Garoppolo will return as QB2 on the cheap? At the very least, general manager John Lynch should put in the call. He has an opportunity to do the funniest thing possible.