Rob Issa, FISM News
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Jimmy Garoppolo is reuniting with Josh McDaniels in Las Vegas, giving the Raiders a new quarterback to replace Derek Carr.
Garoppolo agreed to a three-year deal worth $67.5 million with $34 million in guaranteed money, per multiple reports.
NFL free agency kicked off Monday with teams allowed to negotiate with players. Signings and trades can’t be officially announced until the league year opens on Wednesday.
Garoppolo was 38-17 as a starter with the San Francisco 49ers and led them to one Super Bowl appearance and two NFC championship games. He was drafted by the Patriots when Raiders coach McDaniels was New England’s offensive coordinator. Garoppolo backed up Tom Brady from 2014 to the middle of the 2017 season.
Carr was released by the Raiders last month and signed with the New Orleans Saints last week.
The 31-year-old Garoppolo has been plagued by injuries. He suffered a season-ending knee injury in San Francisco’s third game in 2018 and missed eight games with ankle injuries in 2020.
He was having his best season in 2022 after replacing Trey Lance but suffered a foot injury that forced San Francisco to turn to rookie Brock Purdy.
The Raiders were 6-11 last season but they have talented players surrounding Garoppolo. Wide receivers Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow, tight end Darren Waller and running back Josh Jacobs along with Garoppolo could give Las Vegas a formidable offense.
Former first-round pick Sam Darnold left Carolina to go to the 49ers. He’ll join the pack with Lance and Purdy already likely to battle for the starting position.
TEXANS ADD KEENUM, PETERSON TO PITTSBURGH
The Houston Texans signed veteran quarterback Case Keenum to provide depth. They own the No. 2 overall pick in next month’s NFL draft and are expected to select a QB.
Other major moves Monday included the Pittsburgh Steelers giving eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson a two-year deal. Peterson replaces Cam Sutton, who agreed to a deal with the Detroit Lions.
BRONCOS BOLSTER O-LINE
The Denver Broncos agreed to several deals, shoring up their offensive line with the addition of right tackle Mike McGlinchey and left guard Ben Powers. They also are bringing in quarterback Jarrett Stidham to back up Russell Wilson.
McGlinchey is getting an $87.5 million, five-year contract with $50 million guaranteed, per reports. Powers is reportedly receiving a $52 million, four-year contract with $28.5 million guaranteed.
FALCONS, PANTHERS, BENGALS, GIANTS ADD DEFENSE
The Atlanta Falcons agreed on a deal with safety Jessie Bates and acquired tight end Jonnu Smith from the Patriots. The Panthers brought safety Vonn Bell, Bates’ former teammate in Cincinnati.
The Bengals, who lost both starting safeties, are re-signing linebacker Germaine Pratt.
The New York Giants strengthened their defense, adding former Colts linebacker Bobby Okereke. He had a career-high 151 tackles last season.
POTENTIAL RULE CHANGES
While players were moving across the NFL, the league announced several potential rule changes.
The league’s competition committee will consider making roughing-the-passer penalties and personal foul penalties reviewable.
Another proposal would allow teams to keep possession by going for a fourth-and-20 from the 20 after a score instead of trying an onside kick.
In addition to rule changes, two bylaws proposals were submitted. One allows teams to designate an emergency third quarterback from its inactive list or practice squad who would be eligible to enter a game if the first two quarterbacks on the active list are ruled out.
Another would seed wild-card teams ahead of division champions if the division champ has a losing record and the wild-card team has at least four more wins in the regular season.