Las Vegas Raiders downgrade from Derek Carr and sign Jimmy Garoppolo
The Las Vegas Raiders released Derek Carr in February and the team’s plans for the quarterback of the future were unclear. On Monday, March 13, the legal tampering period commenced at noon and suddenly the Raiders’ plans became clear.
The Las Vegas Raiders signed quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to a 3-year contract. The news broke shortly after it was announced that quarterback Jarrett Stidham went to the Denver Broncos to back up Russell Wilson.
Comp update: Raiders are giving former 49ers’ QB Jimmy Garoppolo a three-year, $67.5 million deal, including $34 million guaranteed, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2023
This is hardly the blockbuster move that fans expected. Derek Carr had his shortcomings however his physical abilities as a quarterback and his durability exceed Jimmy Garoppolo’s. In Garoppolo’s nine seasons in the NFL, he has only logged three seasons where he played in ten or more games.
Jimmy Garoppolo injuries and production – Las Vegas Raiders taking a risk
In his nine seasons (several as a backup) in the NFL Garoppolo has thrown for 14,289 yards for 87 touchdowns with 42 interceptions.
Carr, who has also played in the NFL for nine seasons, threw for 35,222 yards for 217 touchdowns with 99 interceptions. Carr played for a minimum of 15 games in every single season of his career.
Carr is one of the most durable quarterbacks in the league, never missing more than one regular season game due to injury in nine years. Garoppolo has been on injured several times during his career and landed on injured reserve missing multiple games or sitting out the majority of the season. Garoppolo is currently working to return from a broken foot he sustained in December of 2022.
Since 2018, Garoppolo ranks 48th in throws over 20-yards among qualifying QBs. Since 2018, Davante Adams ranks 3rd in the league of receptions of over 20-yards.
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) March 13, 2023
He's also had season-ending injuries in 3 of the last 5 seasons. https://t.co/JPvUt5N4oe
The Patriot Way
The expectation was that Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler had a plan to obtain an elite quarterback after moving on from Carr. Garoppolo played in New England for the Patriots from 2014-2017 with McDaniels as his offensive coordinator. The hope was that there would be an upgrade and instead it seems the new Raiders regime is focused on bringing as many former Patriots to Las Vegas as possible.
Garoppolo has one edge over Derek Carr; victories in the playoffs. During his nine years with the Raiders Carr never won a playoff game. While Garoppolo had the advantage of having a top defense alongside him and excellent coaching in Kyle Shanahan.
Garoppolo has a record of 5-2 in the playoffs and comes from a winning “pedigree” in reference to his time in New England. The experience Garoppolo brings to the Raiders is a welcome one. However, it remains to be seen how All-Pro receiver Davante Adams feels about the new quarterback as he was previously advocating for Aaron Rodgers to join him back in Vegas.
Instead, Adams will be catching passes from the quarterback that knocked his team out of the playoffs twice. The Jimmy Garoppolo era in Las Vegas begins now.