Las Vegas Raiders Targeting Jimmy Garoppolo

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels may turn to a trusted face to lead his offense for the 2023 season. Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Raiders are targeting former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo as their new franchise quarterback.

As the QB market settles, the #Raiders are expected to be in on FA QB Jimmy Garoppolo when the window opens in 5 minutes, source said. Some mutual interest here, thanks to the familiarity with some old friends.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2023

Garoppolo was drafted in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, where McDaniels worked as offensive coordinator from 2012 to 2021. Garoppolo served as backup to Tom Brady on the Patriots' 2014 and 2016 Super Bowl-winning squads, totalling 690 passing yards and compiling a 106.2 passer rating over 17 appearances.

Garoppolo was traded to the San Francisco 49ers during the 2017 season and found most of his fame and success there, even leading the team to a Super Bowl berth following the 2019 season. Injuries were a consistent issue, but "Jimmy G" was effective when available, winning 38 of 55 starts while managing 238.6 passing yards per game and a more than respectable 99.6 passer rating.

Garoppolo would seem a lateral (or even backward) step from Derek Carr, but at least his existing relationship with McDaniels would expedite his getting up to speed. With good health, he could pilot a stacked Raiders offense to respectability. Big years from Davante Adams, Josh Jacobs, Darren Waller, and Hunter Renfrow could even carry him beyond.

For more on Jimmy Garoppolo's free agent prospects, check out his NFL Free Agency Primer.