Raiders’ Jimmy Garoppolo suspended for violating NFL’s drugs policy | Las Vegas Raiders

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’s performance-enhancing drug policy and the NFL Players Association. the NFL.

ESPN also reported that the Raiders are expected to release Garoppolo next month before an $11.25 million roster bonus takes effect.

Garoppolo reportedly used a prescription drug without having a valid therapeutic use exemption from the drug. NFL.

Garoppolo’s days in Las Vegas appeared to end midseason when then-interim coach Antonio Pierce replaced him with rookie Aidan O’Connell for the remainder of the season. cross He became the Raiders’ full-time coach last month.and the Raiders also hired Tom Telesco as their general manager.

The Raiders signed Garoppolo last offseason to a three-year, $72.75 million contract when coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler were in charge. He previously quarterbacked the San Francisco 49ers, making one appearance in the Super Bowl and two in the NFC title game.

But Garoppolo threw seven touchdown passes and nine interceptions this season with a quarterback rating of 77.6, paving the way for O’Connell to take over.

Garoppolo said after the season that he wanted to be able to play somewhere again.

“I’m pretty open,” Garoppolo said at the time. “Many things are out of my control. I’ve had situations like that before, so as a player, you have to roll with the punches a little bit. No matter what happens, I believe everything happens for a reason. “You have to make the best of your situation.”

The Raiders still have important decisions to make at quarterback.

O’Connell could keep the job after going 5-4 under Pierce, or Las Vegas could look to upgrade through free agency, a trade or this year’s draft.

“I haven’t been the undisputed starter for many years, so I’m used to competing,” O’Connell said on Jan. 25. “I had to compete to get to the place I am. I also think it would be right to have competition in this league. It’s the NFL. “It’s the best of the best, so my job is to try to preserve it.”