Jimmy Garoppolo’s time in Las Vegas is coming to an end.
Raiders plan to release veteran quarterback on Wednesday According to The Athleticalso reported that wide receiver Hunter Renfroe is scheduled to be released.
Two days earlier, the Raiders agreed to a two-year, $25 million free agent contract with veteran QB Gardner Minshew, with $15 million guaranteed.
The Raiders will reportedly consider their options at the quarterback position during the 2024 NFL Draft, which will be held in Detroit from April 25-27.
The news comes as Las Vegas is reuniting Garoppolo with former Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels, who was the offensive coordinator in New England while Garoppolo was with the Patriots starting in 2014. The announcement came a year after he signed a major contract worth $72.75 million ($34 million guaranteed). 17.
According to The Athletic, the Raiders would free up $11.269 million in cap space by cutting Garoppolo, resulting in a dead money hit of $17.068 million.
Multiple teams have reportedly expressed interest in signing the 32-year-old Garoppolo, despite facing a two-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
The Raiders’ previous plans to replace former quarterback Derek Carr and former disgraced coach Jon Gruden became official with the firing of McDaniels and general manager David Ziegler in November 2023. Garoppolo was replaced by rookie Aidan O’Connell on the bench at the end of the season.
At the time (Week 9), Garoppolo led the league in interceptions.
Minshew, 27, will compete with O’Connell, 25, the Raiders’ fourth-round pick in the 2023 draft, for the starting job in Las Vegas. According to ESPN.
Minshew had a productive 2023 season, starting 13 games in place of injured starting pitcher Anthony Richardson and helping the Colts make the playoffs late in the season.
He threw for 15 touchdowns and a career-high 3,305 yards and was named an alternate to the AFC Pro Bowl.
The Raiders’ quarterback room also includes Anthony Brown, who is on a non-guaranteed reserve/future contract.
Garoppolo started six games last season with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions, completing 110 of 168 passes for 1,205 passing yards before being benched.
He lost the game against the Chargers in Week 4 with a concussion and missed the game against the Bears in Week 7 with a back injury.
A second-round pick of the Patriots in 2014, Garoppolo was traded to the 49ers in October 2017 and led San Francisco to three NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl.
