The marquee signing of the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason is quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. They signed the former San Francisco 49ers starter to a three-year deal with $33.8 million in guarantees. He figures to be a short-term replacement for Derek Carr, who is now with the New Orleans Saints.
Garoppolo is known around the league for his ability to win games. He is 44-19 all-time as a starter, including a 4-2 postseason record. He won his first eight NFL starts before getting his first loss and went 13-3 in his first season as a full-time starter.
Injuries plagued him in 2020 and 2022, but he has been a model of consistency when he’s been healthy. He led the 49ers to the Super Bowl for the 2019 season, where they ultimately lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Despite the fact that he has had plenty of success as a starter, Garoppolo is still hungry to prove that he can take that final leap as a quarterback. He spoke about that passion in his introductory press conference.
“Hell yeah. I mean, I’m trying to win a Super Bowl,” Garoppolo said. “I know every player says that when they come up to their first press conference, but that’s my goal,” Garoppolo said. “I want to go get a ring, get the Silver and Black back to where it should be. And I know it’s not an easy process. I went through it in San Francisco, lower end of the field when I first got there. But it’s a process, but it’ll be worth it.”
The Raiders have been to the postseason twice since 2002 and have not won a postseason game since their run to the Super Bowl and loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that season. Garoppolo has not necessarily lit up the stat sheet, but he has proven he can find ways to win.
The Raiders also have the opportunity to draft a quarterback either in 2023 — where they have the No. 7 overall pick — or in 2024, when they can more easily get off of the Garoppolo contract. In the meantime, the former 49ers QB is going to do what he can to bring the Raiders back to their former glory.
Jakobi Meyers sees himself as piece of the puzzle
Another one of the Raiders offensive free agent signings is wide receiver, Jakobi Meyers. Meyers joins Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow as one of the most intriguing receiving cores in the NFL.
For Meyers, he sees himself as a piece of the puzzle next to Adams, Renfrow and Garoppolo.
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