Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is subject to a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance enhancing substances policy. The infraction allegedly stems from Garoppolo’s use of a prescribed medication without obtaining a valid therapeutic use exemption from the league. Garoppolo will reportedly not appeal, and is set to serve his two-game suspension to begin next year.
Additionally, the Raiders are reportedly planning to part ways with Garoppolo prior to a March deadline before a multi-million dollar guarantee is set to kick-in. Garoppolo’s suspension could cost him quite a bit of money. In most cases, guarantees will be waived in these sorts of situations. That could allow the Raiders to release Garoppolo without taking as significant of a cap hit.
The veteran QB signed a three-year/$72 million contract this past offseason, but had an up-and-down year for Vegas before getting benched in favor of rookie Aidan O’Connell. Under the helm of new leadership with Antonio Pierce as coach and Tom Telesco as general manager, the current regime has no ties to Garoppolo. The same goes for backup Brian Hoyer — another former New England Patriot — who is currently the only other QB on the roster behind O’Connell.
We could be looking at a completely revamped quarterback room for the Raiders, who are reportedly interested in moving up from their No. 13 draft spot to better position themselves for a top QB prospect. Nailing this offseason starts with addressing the QB position. Vegas has some draft capital to work with, and now will have even more cap space than originally thought.
As Garoppolo faces the prospect of seeking his third team in as many seasons, NFL regulations permit him to engage in offseason activities and training camp with any prospective employer. However, he will be ineligible to participate in regular season action for the initial two weeks due to his suspension. It will be intriguing to see where the veteran lands.
