Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo lost his starting job with the team this past season in favor of rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell. And now, his future in the NFL appears to be in question after he was shockingly issued a suspension by the NFL on Friday.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Garoppolo has been issued a two-game suspension for violating the league’s Performance Enhancing Substances Policy. He added that the violation is related to a prescribed medication that he has been taking without receiving an exemption from the league.
Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo is being suspended two games for violating the NFL’s Performance Enhancing Substances Policy, league sources told ESPN.
The policy violation is related to him using a prescribed medication without having a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption, per sources. pic.twitter.com/NXE6siAYDb
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 16, 2024
For the Raiders, this news may actually be a benefit to their cap situation. It seems like Garoppolo is no longer in their long-term plans at quarterback. And with this suspension, Garoppolo’s fully guaranteed $11.25 million contract with the team could be unsecured.
Jimmy Garoppolo's suspension may be a gift to the Raiders. The default language in his contract specifically mentions a Performance Enhancing Substances policy violation as grounds for contract guarantees voiding. His fully GTD $11.25M 2024 base salary could become unsecured.
— Joel Corry (@corryjoel) February 16, 2024
Schefter added in his full report on ESPN.com that the Raiders are expected to release Garoppolo before he receives an additional $11.25 million bonus in mid-March.
Fans had plenty to say about the suspension, taking to social media to offer their opinion on the matter.
PEDs have released their own statement denying responsibility for Jimmy Garoppolo’s performance. https://t.co/lpi8TK4cwp
— Matt Schauf (@SchaufDS) February 16, 2024
if a guy was taking a PED and still got benched for aiden o’connell maybe we should just take that one off the PED list https://t.co/NU10VNfylI
— not matt (@PanasonicDX4500) February 16, 2024
not a great look for performance enhancing substances https://t.co/eTcCVq8dPz
— Danny (@recordsANDradio) February 16, 2024
They didn’t work https://t.co/kqRblYsfna
— Athletic Director at THE Bishop Sycamore (@simpfortyrie) February 16, 2024
If a team wants Jimmy G as a bridge QB, things just got a bit more complicated https://t.co/kfyZQaMGJ4
— Matt Couture (@MattCouture5) February 16, 2024
This report from Schefter obviously begs the question. Will Garoppolo receive another starting opportunity in the NFL in the 2024-25 season?
Garoppolo’s numbers this past season left a lot to be desired, with more interceptions on the year than touchdown passes. However, the Raiders had some pretty notably issues around him, and it can be argued that he can still succeed if he has the right situation around him.
Teams who may be interested in him as a bridge quarterback could also be turned off by this suspension, as whoever he plays for will have to deal with him missing the first two games of the season.
