Henderson, Nev. – The Las Vegas Raiders released quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and former Pro Bowl slot receiver Hunter Renfrow on Wednesday, the first day of the NFL’s new league year.
The move saves the Raiders more than $19 million in salary cap space under the new front office of general manager Tom Telesco and coach Antonio Pierce.
Garoppolo signed a three-year, $72.75 million free agent contract with $33.75 million guaranteed with Las Vegas last March, when Josh McDaniels was the coach and Dave Ziegler was the GM. While Garoppolo was scheduled to receive an $11.25 million roster bonus on Sunday, his $11.25 million base salary guarantee for the 2024 season is also now void of two fines handed down by the league last month for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. May be canceled due to game suspension. ,
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the violation was reported to be related to Garoppolo using prescribed medication without a valid therapeutic use waiver from the NFL.
Although he is now free to sign with any team, Garoppolo is not appealing the suspension and will have to sit out the first two regular season games for his new team.
When Garoppolo signed with the Raiders, he required surgery on his left foot – his contract did not become viable until he passed a physical. He suffered concussions as well as back injuries and last season he finished with 1,205 passing yards, 7 touchdown passes and 9 interceptions, leading the league when he was replaced by rookie Aiden Aiden in the Halloween Night Firefight. O’Connell was stood down. McDaniels and Ziegler’s. Garoppolo’s 65.1 completion percentage was a career low for a season in which he played at least six games, as were his passer rating (77.7) and QBR (34.2). His 5.3 interception percentage was also a career high.
“Honestly, I just want to play again,” Garoppolo said the day after the season finale. “That’s why I play this game… I love to win. Honestly, I think I’m just here to go out there and win. As a football player, It’s something you have to embrace.” Not everyone wants that. Some people just want statistics and things like that. I really want to go out there and win. I really enjoy doing this. That’s what we’re here for.”
The Raiders added veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew in free agency.
Renfrow, meanwhile, fell out of favor with McDaniels’ staff due to his game-turning fumble in overtime against the Arizona Cardinals, which was returned for a walk-off TD in Week 2 of the 2022 season. He was engrossed in the drama.
A year earlier, Renfrow was a Pro Bowler with 103 catches – third-most receptions in a season in franchise history – for 1,038 yards and 9 TDs. However, in 2022 and 2023, Renfrow caught a combined 61 passes for 585 yards and 2 TDs.
The 2019 fifth-round draft pick signed a two-year, $32 million extension with $21 million guaranteed entering the 2022 season.
renfro took to social media Earlier Wednesday he thanked fans: “Raider Nation, thank you for welcoming me and my family over the last 5 years. From Oakland to Vegas it felt like home. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I didn’t have my teammates.” And without any inspiration from the coaches. Every single day. 5 years passed by quickly… ‘Once a Raider always a Raider’.”
The Raiders also announced the official releases of quarterback Brian Hoyer and defensive lineman Jerry Tillery on Wednesday.
