The Las Vegas Raiders were playing with fire at their QB after letting Derek Carr go but Jimmy Garoppolo teams up with Josh McDaniels to avert disaster.
The more I rambled about about the Las Vegas Raiders’ plans in the middle after Derek Carr was fired, the more it seemed like their eggs were in one basket, and if that didn’t happen, the Raiders would be living in the Vegas trope as time went on, sitting at the table with their head in their hands and wondering how they got there. to this low point.
Fortunately, Jimmy Garoppolo came to their rescue.
Just as the NFL’s legal free agency juggling period began Monday, the Raiders managed to secure a deal with Garoppolo that would put the quarterback with Josh McDaniels, who worked with the signal caller for years as the offensive coordinator in New England.
The #Raiders are close to a deal with QB Jimmy Garoppolo, sources said. After six seasons and a Super Bowl appearance with the #49ers, Jimmy G was on his way to Vegas, site of this season’s Super Bowl, to meet up with Josh McDaniels. pic.twitter.com/R4dSLyj5SX
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 13, 2020
JIMMY GAROPOLO CONTRACT DETAILS: The Raiders avert disaster by signing a QB
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Jimmy Garoppolo’s contract details as the quarterback signed a three-year, $67.5 million contract with Las Vegas. Perhaps more importantly, only $34 million of it was guaranteed.
CORPORATE UPDATE: The Raiders are giving former 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo a three-year deal worth $67.5 million, including a $34 million guarantee, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2023
The guarantee of only half of a Garoppolo contract is a massive feat for the Raiders. They can use the veteran as a very serviceable interim plan while having the flexibility to craft a prospect they’d like to develop this year or wait until next season and perhaps be more aggressive in pursuing the QB prospect.
Most importantly, though, the Raiders avoid an unmitigated train wreck with Jimmy G now on the premises. Not only did Las Vegas allow Carr a walk, but they seem to have been out to Aaron Rodgers for a while, don’t seem to be involved with Lamar Jackson, and saw Garrett Stidham — who started after Carr was benched at the end of the 2022 season — sign with Denver.
Now that disaster has been averted, though, the Raiders are well positioned to dictate their future at quarterback going forward, starting with Garoppolo.
