Raiders release Garoppolo, Renfrow; Wagner to Washington

The Las Vegas Raiders kicked off the start of the new league year by releasing quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and receiver Hunter Renfrow to give the new regime more room to operate under the salary cap.

The Raiders also released backup quarterback Brian Hoyer and defensive tackle Jerry Tillery on Wednesday, just minutes after the start of the 2024 league year.

The moves create significant salary cap space for the Raiders to use this offseason as general manager Tom Telesco and coach Antonio Pierce look to build the team into a contender.

These decisions had been widely expected, as the Raiders benched Garoppolo midway through last season after Pierce took over for fired coach Josh Mcdaniels and the other players were no longer part of the team’s long-term plans.

The Raiders had signed Garoppolo to a three-year, $72.75 million contract last offseason to take over as quarterback from recently released Derek Carr, but the move backfired almost from the start.

WAGNER JOINS QUINN IN WASHINGTON >> Bobby Wagner is going to the Washington Commanders as they make a major splash in rebuilding their defense.

The six-time All-pro linebacker from Ontario Colony High has agreed to join the team, according to two people familiar with the deal. One person confirmed it’s a one-year contract worth up to $8.5 million with $6 million in guaranteed money. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because it had not been announced.

Wagner, who turns 34 this summer, led the NFL with 183 tackles last season for Seattle. He becomes the centerpiece of the defense under Dan Quinn and is another player the new coach is plenty familiar with — Wagner played two seasons for him with the Seahawks in 2013 and ‘14, winning a

Super Bowl together in the process.

MAHOMES RESTRUCTURES TO HELP CHIEFS >> The Kansas City Chiefs have restructured quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ contract, a person familiar with the decision told The AP on Wednesday, giving the Super Bowl champions some much-needed salary cap space.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details were not public.

By restructuring the contract, which would have counted more than $58 million against the cap for the upcoming season, the Chiefs created more than $21 million to use elsewhere. That could include a much-publicized pursuit of help at wide receiver or their need for a new left tackle to protect Mahomes’ blind side.

TEXANS ADD PASS RUSHER >> The Houston Texans have agreed with four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Danielle Hunter on a $49 million, two-year contract. Hunter had a career-best 16 1/2 sacks last season for Minnesota. He’s reached double digits in sacks five times in eight years.

TITANS LAND BIG-PLAY RECEIVER >>

Wide receiver Calvin Ridley and the Tennessee Titans have agreed on a four-year, $92 million contract, The AP reported, citing a source because the deal hasn’t been finalized.

Ridley, who had 76 receptions for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns last season in Jacksonville, gives young Titans quarterback Will Levis another playmaker. Tennessee also added a veteran quarterback Mason Rudolph. BUCCANEERS BRING BACK WHITEHEAD >> Safety Jordan Whitehead is returning to Tampa Bay on a two-year, $9 million contract worth up to $10.5 million. Whitehead, 27, returns to Bucs after spending the past two seasons with the New York Jets. He was a starter on the Tampa Bay defense that helped Tom Brady win the Super Bowl during the 2020 season.