USA TODAY International Edition
Garoppolo to sign with Vegas
The quarterback market is quickly settling in the NFL offseason.
Jimmy Garoppolo is set to sign with the Las Vegas Raiders, a person with knowledge of the move told USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement cannot become official until the start of the new league year Wednesday. The move will reunite Garoppolo with Raiders coach Josh McDaniels, who was his offensive coordinator for three seasons.
According to ESPN, the contract is for three seasons at $ 67.5 million, $ 34 million of which will be guaranteed.
Garoppolo will replace Derek Carr, whom the team released in February after nine seasons with the franchise. Carr signed with the New Orleans Saints on March 6.
Garoppolo, 31, is set to enter his 10th season in the league. He began his career with the New England Patriots, who selected him 62nd overall in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft. Garoppolo served three seasons as then- quarterback Tom Brady’s backup. He played fairly well when Brady missed time because of a 2016 suspension. That season, however, a shoulder injury prevented Garoppolo from staying on the field, in what became a trend for him.
The Patriots traded Garoppolo to the 49ers in October 2017 for a second- round selection in the following NFL draft. His tenure in San Francisco was uneven, again in large part to several season- ending injuries.
Eventually, the Niners drafted Trey Lance No. 3 overall in the 2021 NFL draft, indicating the team’s shift at the position. Garoppolo remained on the roster, despite San Francisco committing to Lance as its starter.
After the team failed to secure a trade partner for Garoppolo last offseason, he and the 49ers agreed to a restructured contract in August 2022 that retained him through last season. That contract was set to expire at the start of the new league year March 15.
Garoppolo, however, was thrust into action last season when Lance suffered a broken ankle in Week 2.
In 11 games last season for the 49ers, Garoppolo completed 67.2% of his passes for 2,437 yards, with 16 touchdowns against four interceptions. But Garoppolo broke his foot in Week 13 and did not return to action as backup Brock Purdy excelled in his place.
When Garoppolo was healthy, he offered a steady if unspectacular option at quarterback, such as when he helped lead the 49ers to an appearance in Super Bowl 54, which the team lost 31- 20 to the Kansas City Chiefs, after Garoppolo struggled in the game.