Henderson, Nevada (AP) The NFL suspended Las Vegas Raiders backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for the first two games of next season on Friday for violating the league’s and NFL Players Association’s performance-enhancing substance policy.
According to ESPN, the Raiders want to remove Garoppolo next month before he receives his $11.25 million roster bonus.
Garoppolo’s tenure in Las Vegas appeared to be finished at midseason, 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 last month, and the team also signed Tom Telesco as general manager.
Garoppolo signed a three-year, $72.75 million contract with the Raiders last summer while coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler were in charge. He previously led the San Francisco 49ers to three Super Bowl appearances and two NFC championships.
However, Garoppolo tossed 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 stated after the season that he wants to be able to play again elsewhere. “I’m pretty open,” Garoppolo explained at the time. “A lot of things are out of my control. I’ve been in circumstances like that before, so as a player, you have to roll with the punches a little. Whatever happens, I believe everything happens for a reason. “You have to make the most of your situation.”
The Raiders still have big decisions to make at quarterback.
O’Connell may keep the position after going 5-4 under Pierce, or Las Vegas could attempt to improve through free agency, a trade, or this year’s draft.
“There haven’t been many years where I’ve been the undisputed starter coming in, so I’m used to competing,” O’Connell said on Jan. 25. “I had to compete to get to where I am now. I also believe it is appropriate to have competition in this league. It is the NFL. It’s the greatest of the best, therefore I’ll do my best to keep it.”
