Raiders' Jimmy Garoppolo explains news conference postponement

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has assured everyone there was nothing to worry about regarding his status with his new employer. 

Eyebrows were raised when it was learned Thursday that Garoppolo's introductory news conference had been postponed and that he hadn't yet put pen to paper on his contract. That conference ended up occurring shortly after Garoppolo's deal with the Raiders became official on Friday, and Pro Football Talk's Myles Simmons noted that the 31-year-old told reporters that the delay was merely related to "language" in the agreement. 

"Both sides, I think, knew what we wanted to get done," Garoppolo said. "It was very collaborative, actually, just us coming together." 

According to Vic Tafur and The Athletic Staff, Garoppolo and the Raiders agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $72.5M with $33.75M guaranteed at signing. 

Jimmy G admitted Friday that his familiarity with Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler "played a role" in his choosing to join that organization. Garoppolo previously had McDaniels as an offensive coordinator with the New England Patriots when Ziegler was working as a member of that franchise's personnel staff.

It's understandable Las Vegas fans were left concerned upon hearing about Thursday's developments. Garoppolo has a lengthy and well-known injury history and, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, missed 31 games due to physical setbacks during his five full campaigns with the San Francisco 49ers. 

Most recently, Garoppolo went down with what ultimately became a season-ending foot issue on Dec. 4. Before that, he had the 49ers looking like true Super Bowl contenders and had won six of nine starts for the club. 

As mentioned by ESPN stats, Garoppolo ended this past regular season third among eligible quarterbacks with a 103.0 passer rating. He was also tied for fifth with a 67.2% completion percentage and fourth with an average of 7.9 yards per pass attempt across fewer than 11 finished games. 

Garoppolo insisted Friday he wants to win a title with the Silver and Black after he played in two NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl with the 49ers. 

"I know that’s not an easy process — I’ve been through it [with] San Francisco [at the] lower end of the field when I first got there. It’s a process, but it’ll be worth it," he said.