Jimmy Garoppolo's free agency blow as Sam Darnold set to replace him in NFL
Minnesota Vikings are wrapping up a deal for the former third overall pick in the NFL Draft, Sam Darnold, meaning Jimmy Garoppolo's wait for a fresh start is likely to go on.
Garoppolo, 32, was sidelined by the Las Vegas Raiders during the 2023 season and after breaking the NFL's rules about performance-enhancing substances, he will serve a two-game suspension at the starts of the 2024 season and more immediately is expected to be released by the franchise before the fifth day of the new league year.
Moving on from Garoppolo in the timeframe means the Raiders won't have to pay him a bonus of $11.25 million and it had ben suggested that Minnesota could be a landing spot for the quarterback after Kirk Cousins moved to the Atlanta Falcons.
However the legal tampering period started fast, with the Vikings moving to sign Darnold and the Raiders adding Gardner Minshew to their QB room alongside Aidan O'Connell.
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NFL Network reports that Darnold has agreed to a one-year deal worth $10 million with the Vikings, following the expiry of his San Francisco 49ers contract after just one season.
Darnold, who was the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, is getting ready to play for his fourth team as he heads into his seventh season in the league. In 2023, Darnold played in 10 games for the 49ers, including his only start in the final game of the regular season against the Los Angeles Rams.
After the Vikings traded Cousins to the Falcons, Darnold has another chance to prove himself as a key player and starter.
Garoppolo, on the other hand, will have to wait for the same thing. He is expected to miss the first two games of next season wherever he decides to play.
ESPN reported that he's been suspended for using a medication without an official Therapeutic Use Exemption approval. Just last year, the Raiders signed Garoppolo to a $72.75 million three-year contract, which had a guaranteed amount of $33.75 million.
Unfortunately, Garoppolo struggled with injuries and consistency throughout his tenure with the franchise. Last season, he only managed to start six games and won just three of them.
The two-time Super Bowl champion completed 65.1% of his throws, averaged 7.1 yards per attempt, and produced seven touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Several teams need a veteran quarterback and Garoppolo could be their man (Getty)Antonio Pierce became the new head coach of the Raiders in January, after holding the position in an interim capacity since October 2023 following the sacking of Josh McDaniels. A crucial part of his plans for the team is signing a top-class quarterback.
He said: "You don't want to put a Band-Aid at that position," "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."
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The Raiders fans may not take comfort in the signing of ex-Jacksonville and Indianapolis quarterback Minshew as their franchise quarterback, while Garoppolo may be stuck waiting to see how free agency and draft picks work out before any concrete paths forward come into view.
Garoppolo called his 2023 season "weird" back in January. He confided his longing for getting back on the field and remained receptive to various potential futures.
"I just want to get back to playing, honestly," he told the press via ESPN. "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. I really just want to go out there and win. I really enjoy doing it. That's what we're here for."
Garoppolo added; "I'm pretty open. A lot of things are out of my control. I've been in situations like that before. So I've learned, just got to roll with the punches a little bit and whatever happens, I think it all happens for a reason. Just got to make the best of your situation."
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