Garoppolo banned 2 games for PED violation
The NFL is suspending Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for two games for violating its policy on performance-enhancing substances, the league announced Friday, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Garoppolo isn't planning to appeal his suspension and will miss the first two games of the 2024 season, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Raiders are expected to release the veteran quarterback in March instead of paying him an $11.25-million roster bonus, which is due on the fifth day of the new league year, Schefter adds.
Garoppolo violated the policy by reportedly using a prescribed medication without using a valid therapeutic use exemption from the league.
Garoppolo's suspension would void his salary guarantee for the 2024 season, allowing the Raiders to move on from him with minimal financial penalties, according to Over the Cap.
The 32-year-old passer signed a three-year, $72.75-million deal with Las Vegas last March. The dead money from releasing Garoppolo prior to next season would drop from $28.4 million to $17.1 million.
A key signing for former general manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels, Garoppolo began 2023 as the Raiders' starting QB. Yet the former two-time Super Bowl winner was benched after the team's Week 8 loss to the Detroit Lions in favor of rookie Aidan O'Connell. Las Vegas posted a 4-3 mark with Garoppolo starting under center.
He concluded his 2023 campaign passing with 1,205 yards, seven touchdowns, nine interceptions, and a 65% completion rate.
With Tom Telesco taking over as GM and Antonio Pierce promoted to coach, the Raiders could be looking to add a quarterback through free agency or with the No. 13 overall pick in the upcoming draft. O'Connell and Brian Hoyer would be the only passers on Las Vegas' roster following Garoppolo's pending departure.
Garoppolo will be seeking his third team in as many offseasons after spending six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers (2017-2022) prior to joining the Raiders. The Eastern Illinois product began his career with the New England Patriots (2014-16).