Las Vegas Raiders backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was suspended by the NFL on Friday for the first two games of next season for violating the league and NFL Players Association’s performance-enhancing drugs policy.
ESPN also reported that the Raiders are expected to release Garoppolo next month before his $11.25 million roster bonus begins.
According to the report, Garoppolo used a prescribed medication without a valid therapeutic use waiver from the NFL.
Garoppolo’s days in Las Vegas ended mid-season when then-interim coach Antonio Pierce replaced him with rookie Aidan O’Connell for the remainder of the season. Pierce became the Raiders’ full-time coach the previous month, and the Raiders also hired Tom Telesco as their general manager.
The Raiders signed Garoppolo to a three-year, $72.75 million contract last season when coach Josh McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler were in charge. He previously quarterbacked the San Francisco 49ers, making appearances in the Super Bowl and the NFC title game twice.
But Garoppolo threw seven touchdown passes and nine interceptions with a 77.6 quarterback rating this season, opening the way for O’Connell to take over.
Garoppolo said that after the season he wants to be able to play somewhere again.
“I’m pretty open,” Garoppolo said at the time. “A lot of things are out of my control. I’ve had situations like this before, so as a player, you have to roll with the punches a little bit. Whatever happens, I think it all happens for a reason. You have to make the best of your situation.”
The Raiders still have big decisions to make at quarterback.
O’Connell could retain the job after going 5-4 under Pierce, or Las Vegas could consider an upgrade through free agency, trade or this year’s draft.
“It hasn’t been too many years since I’ve been the undisputed starter, so I’m used to competing,” O’Connell said on January 25. “I had to compete to get to where I am. I also think it would be good to compete in this league. This is the NFL. This is the best of the best, so it’s my job to try to keep my job.”
