March 14th, 2023

The Las Vegas Raiders have found their Derek Carr replacement, and it's an upgrade to QB Jimmy Garoppolo. He was their best target, after losing out on Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets (maybe?), and they locked him in with a three-year, $67.5 million deal, with $34 million guaranteed.

Breaking: QB Jimmy Garoppolo is signing with the Raiders, per @diannaESPN and @AdamSchefter.

He is getting a three-year, $67.5M deal with $34M guaranteed, according to Schefter. pic.twitter.com/ZEKMRitS1P

— ESPN (@espn) March 13, 2023

The main reason he landed in Vegas was his relationship with ex-New England Patriots offensive coordinator (Garoppolo was Tom Brady's backup for years in NE) Josh McDaniels, who is now the Raiders head coach. Garoppolo has a familiarity with McDaniels' offense that it seems Carr wasn't able to grasp. And if we're going off of last year, it appears the team wasn't willing to adjust, based on how poorly Carr played. The writing was on the wall probably midseason that they needed a shot at someone else.

The one knock on Jimmy is his inability to stay healthy - if he can, he plays very well and could get the Raiders a postseason bid. If not, the Raiders have to have a backup plan. With them picking at No. 7 in the 2023 NFL Draft and Garoppolo's short-term deal, they may choose to go the draft-and-sit route.

The Houston Texans were also interested in Garoppolo - with them passing on him, it seems most likely that they'll draft their future QB with the No.2 pick and have him compete with current starter Davis Mills or sign a cheap vet like Carson Wentz.

more qb news:

• Derek Carr said he was willing to accept a trade from the Las Vegas Raiders, but they were only allowing him to speak to one team. "I was only given permission to talk to one team. As much as I love and respect those guys, Dave and Josh over at the Raiders, how do I make that decision when it's the only time in my career that I've been, or could possibly be free?"
  

• CJ Stroud, as far as betting odds go, is the favorite to go first in the 2023 NFL Draft.
  

• The Cleveland Browns restructured Deshaun Watson's deal, saving almost $36 million in cap space. It was reported last week that Watson would be willing to restructure if it would allow the Browns to sign critical free agents.
  

• The Los Angeles Chargers re-signed QB Easton Stick, who will backup Justin Herbert in 2023. Stick was slated to become a free agent. He signed a one-year, $1.8 million deal.
  

• The Las Vegas Raiders signed QB Jimmy Garoppolo to a three-year, $67.5 million contract.

• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have interest in signing QB Jacoby Brissett. They are expected to also target QB Baker Mayfield.
  

• The Carolina Panthers are "willing to move" QB Matt Corral. Corral had a Lisfranc injury for most of his rookie season, meaning there is a very small sample size. It seems Corral will be on the chopping block and the Panthers want to see if they can get a return for him.
  

• The Denver Broncos agreed to terms with QB Jarrett Stidham, on a two-year, $10 million deal. The deal includes $5 million in guaranteed cash. It's a pretty hefty contract for a backup, which may indicate some plans should Russell Wilson have another down year.
  • The Broncos did not tender QB Brett Rypien.

• QB Mike White signed with the Miami Dolphins. The deal is worth "up to" $16 million, which is usually an incentive-laden deal. I'd assume it includes playing time in there somewhere. The Dolphins need a large insurance policy with starter Tua Tagovailoa's injury history.
  

• The Houston Texans signed QB Case Keenum to a two-year, $6.25 million deal. With the Texans expected to draft a QB at the No. 2 pick, Keenum will serve as a veteran presence in the QB room and a potential bridge QB (less likely).
  

• The San Francisco 49ers signed QB Sam Darnold to a one-year contract. The Niners needed a third quarterback, preferably a cheap vet, to serve as insurance for Brock Purdy, who just had surgery. Trey Lance is expected to be the starter heading into the 2023 season.
  

• The Detroit Lions proposed a rule that would allow for a third quarterback to be available - an emergency QB on game days. This comes after the Niners lost both of their QBs to injuries during the NFC Championship Game.