The Las Vegas Raiders believed they had made a major upgrade to their quarterback position last year when they signed veteran Jimmy Garoppolo to a contract. However, things did not go the way anyone hoped, and the team turned to rookie Aidan O’Connell for the final stretch of the season.
Even though he has two years remaining on his deal, it is widely expected that the Raiders will move on from Garoppolo this offseason and look elsewhere in their search for a franchise quarterback, but now, wherever he winds up, Garoppolo will be sitting out to start the 2024 season.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Garoppolo has been suspended two games by the NFL for violating their Performance Enhancing Substances Policy:
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is being suspended two games for violating the NFL’s Performance Enhancing Substances Policy, league sources told ESPN.
The policy violation is said to be related to Garoppolo using a prescribed medication without having a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption from the league, according to sources.
This is an unfortunate outcome for Garoppolo as it looks to be a matter of not getting the proper paperwork done that would have prevented this from being an issue. But this also could have some salary cap implications for the Raiders.
Because of this suspension, there is a chance that Garoppolo’s base salary guarantee for next year could be voided which would save the Raiders more than $10 million:
Garoppolo will not appeal the suspension and will miss the first two games of the 2024 season, but it is not expected to be with the Raiders, per sources.
The Raiders are expected to release Garoppolo before the fifth day of the new league year in mid-March, when he would earn an $11.25 million roster bonus. Garoppolo also has an $11.25 million base salary guarantee for the 2024 season that now could be voided because of the suspension.
This is an interesting development and would be big for the Raiders if they are able to clear out some more cap space. The team is looking to compete next season, and any extra space they can have to bring in some impact players would be excellent.
Could LSU’s Jayden Daniels make Raiders a playoff team?
While Garoppolo wasn’t the answer the Raiders were hoping for under center, the team is hoping to find its franchise guy this year. That could come through the draft, and some feel Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels would be perfect for the Raiders.
ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III believes Daniels could come in and immediately take the Raiders to the playoffs with his dynamic skillset.
Last year with the Tigers Daniels threw for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns with just four interceptions while also adding another 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
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