quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is set to miss the first two games of the upcoming season due to a violation of the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. This news has been confirmed by CBS Sports lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones. According to ESPN, Garoppolo’s violation stems from “using a prescribed medication without having a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption.” The suspension will apply regardless of which team he is on, but it is unlikely that he will continue with the Raiders.
Reports indicate that the Raiders are expected to release Garoppolo before the fifth day of the new league year in mid-March to avoid paying his $11.25 million roster bonus. Additionally, his fully guaranteed $11.25 million salary for 2024 is likely to void due to the suspension.
This means that upon his release, the Raiders would incur a dead salary cap hit of $17 million but free up $10 million in cap space for 2024.
Garoppolo, who signed a three-year, $72.5 million contract with Las Vegas last offseason, had a challenging start with the team. He only managed to start six games, during which he completed 65.1% of his passes at an average of 7.1 yards per attempt, with seven touchdowns against nine interceptions. Injuries and ineffectiveness led to his benching in favor of rookie fourth-rounder Aidan O’Connell.
