After the Las Vegas Raiders recently benched quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for rookie Aidan O’Connell, his days in Las Vegas are probably numbered.
“How about very?” ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez wrote of the likelihood that Las Vegas will move on. “Benching Garoppolo as a part of the reset that saw coach Josh McDaniels, general manager Dave Ziegler and offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi all get fired does not bode well for the QB’s future in Las Vegas.”
In six starts, Garoppolo — who signed a three-year, $72.75M deal this offseason — threw nine interceptions, seven TDs and logged a below-average 35 QBR. It’s apparent the 32-year-old isn’t the answer.
Per Gutierrez, interim head coach Antonio Pierce recently said we probably haven’t seen the last of Jimmy G. this season. O’Connell — a fourth-round pick out of Purdue — might struggle, so it would make sense to turn back to Garoppolo instead of Brian Hoyer, who has lost 12 consecutive games as a starter. That doesn’t change the outlook on Garoppolo’s future in Vegas.
The Raiders could try to trade Garoppolo this offseason, but he likely won’t attract suitors. Releasing him also is a costly move. Per Over the Cap, cutting him with a pre-June 1 designation incurs $28.3M in dead money, while a post-June 1 designation incurs $15.5M.
Even though it’s a substantial financial loss, the 2024 draft seems like a great time to potentially select a long-term solution at the most important position. ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid gave four QBs first-round grades, including Southern Cal’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy.
ESPN’s football power index predicts the Raiders (4-5) will have the sixth overall pick, within range to select a talented, young passer they can build around.
