04 March 2024 , 04:00
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Jimmy Garoppolo has inadvertently given the Las Vegas Raiders a financial boost of $11.25 million (£8.3m) after being suspended for breaking the NFL's rules on performance-enhancing substances.
The Raiders are set to release Garoppolo after he was informed he will have to sit out the first two games of next season. However, that decision was already on the cards after the quarterback was benched last season.
A potential stumbling block was the fact he would have had to be paid his base salary of $11.25million (£8.3m) for the 2024 season. However, his suspension means that will now be voided if he is released in a big financial boost to the franchise.
Garoppolo has been suspended for violating the NFL's Performance Enhancing Substances Policy. The breach reportedly relates to his use of a prescribed drug without getting the correct medicinal use immunity from the league.
It means Garoppolo is facing an uncertain future. In his 10-year career in the NFL, he played seven games for the Raiders, with a passer rating of 77.7. He threw for 1,205 yards, made seven touchdowns and nine interceptions, and won four games, completing 70 percent of his passes in those wins.
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Garoppolo signed a big deal for three years at $72.75 million with the team in March when Josh McDaniels was the head coach.. But McDaniels got fired after a 3-5 start to the season and Garoppolo benched for Aidan O'Connell.
McDaniels' job went to Antonio Pierce, who used to be their linebackers coach. He took over as interim head coach when McDaniels left and got the top job permanently in January. Pierce recently admitted finding a quarterback is vital for their long-term vision.
"You don't want to put a Band-Aid at that position," Pierce said. "That's old, man. I think the Raiders, we've seen that enough in this organization. You want the face of your franchise to be the quarterback, to be that guy you can count on for the next ten years."
Jimmy Garoppolo could free up $11.25 million for the Raiders if they cut him (Getty)The Las Vegas Raiders have the 13th pick in the NFL Draft and they're looking for a new quarterback, some linebackers, tackles, and maybe a running back if Josh Jacobs goes. Lots of people think they might pick Michael Penix Jr., who won the Maxwell Award as a top college QB.
Penix talked about the chance of playing for the Raiders and said he had met with them. He mentioned: "Yeah, I did meet with them. I feel like that organization was doing a lot of great things toward the end of the season."
He also spoke about Coach Pierce, adding: "I know a lot of guys speak highly of Coach AP and the things that he is able to do," and added, "I was able to see him and meet with him, and he's pretty cool guy."
The Raiders have several quarterbacks right now, including current starter O'Connell, who played in 11 games last year and threw for 2,218 yards and 12 touchdowns.