Jimmy Garoppolo, the backup quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders, was suspended by the NFL on Friday for the
first two games of the upcoming season for breaking the league’s and the NFL Players Association’s policy
regarding performance-enhancing drugs.
After youngster Aidan O’Connell took Garoppolo’s spot at the midseason and remained with the team for the
remainder of the year, it seemed as though Garoppolo’s time in Las Vegas was done. Last month, the Raiders
hired Tom Telesco as general manager and appointed Pierce as their full-time coach.
Under head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler, the Raiders signed Garoppolo to a three-
year, $72.75 million contract in the offseason. He was the San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback in the past, and he
played in two NFC title games and the Super Bowl.
However, with a 77.6 quarterback rating this season, Garoppolo threw nine interceptions and seven touchdown
passes, making room for O’Connell to take over.
After the season, Garoppolo stated that he hoped to play somewhere else.
At the time, Garoppolo declared, “I’m pretty open.” “There are a lot of factors outside my control. I’ve had similar
circumstances in the past, so as a player, you have to be somewhat adaptable. I believe that everything happens
for a reason, no matter what. You must take advantage of your circumstances.
At quarterback, the Raiders still have a lot of decisions to make.
After going 5-4 under Pierce, O’Connell might stay in his position, or Las Vegas might try to upgrade through this
year’s draft, a trade, or free agency. “I’m used to competing because there haven’t been many years where I’ve
been the clear favorite going in,” O’Connell stated on January 25. “To reach where I am now, I had to compete. In
my opinion, competition in this league would be appropriate as well. The NFL is that. Since I’m among the
greatest, it’s my responsibility to endeavor to maintain my position.
