The quarterback whose catchphrase is “Feels great, baby!” is being hired by the team that came up with the catchphrase “Just win, baby!”
Following five and a half seasons with the 49ers, Jimmy Garoppolo is joining the Las Vegas Raiders, as first reported by Mike Garofolo of the NFL Network on Monday as free agency negotiations got underway.
According to NFL Network, Garoppolo has a three-year contract for $67.5 million, of which $34 million is guaranteed. That last figure represents the market wage for a starting quarterback. In February 2018, Garoppolo signed a five-year, $137.5 million contract with the 49ers, breaking the previous record for the NFL.
Since joining the 49ers as a starter in a trade with the New England Patriots on Halloween 2017, Garoppolo, 31, has a record of 42-19. This includes his two-point playoff performances in 2019 and 2021. When he suffered a break to his left foot and missed the team’s postseason run, which culminated in a defeat to Philadelphia in the NFC Championship Game, his tenure came to an end three months ago.
Official signings may only take place on Wednesday at 1 p.m.
Garoppolo, who is joining the Raiders, replaces veteran starter Derek Carr, who signed a contract with the New Orleans Saints last week. Coach Josh McDaniels, who was the Patriots’ offensive coordinator when Garoppolo made his NFL debut as a 2014 second-round choice and Tom Brady’s backup, reunites with Garoppolo with the Raiders.
Although it was anticipated that Garoppolo would leave the 49ers a year ago, shoulder surgery turned off possible suitors. As a result, Garoppolo showed up for training camp and tried his luck on a side field before renegotiating his contract, which included a pay reduction as well as a provision guaranteeing that the 49ers would not apply the franchise tag to him.
For the duration of the 49ers’ offseason program, which starts next month, at least, Trey Lance and Brock Purdy will continue in that sequence. After having his throwing elbow reconstructed last Friday, Purdy will need to undergo six months of therapy, while Lance is recovering from an injury to his right ankle.
In their first season under McDaniels, the Raiders were 6-11 and finished third in the AFC West.
On January 1, the Raiders lost in overtime at home against the 49ers and Purdy because to Garoppolo’s foot injury.
Three other 49ers quarterbacks, Jeff Garcia, Rick Mirer, and Jim Plunkett, have joined the Raiders.
Of course, there is more in the 49ers-Raiders pipeline than just quarterbacks. Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott, Roger Craig, Rod Woodson, Bill Romanowski, Tom Rathman, Randy Moss, Charlie Garner, Nnamdi Asomugha, Dana Stubblefield, Cedrick Hardman, Ted Washington, Ted Kwalick, and Jamie Williams are among the players who have played for both teams.
The Raiders placed third in the AFC West the previous season, despite the conference being brimming with elite quarterbacks like Russell Wilson (Denver Broncos), Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers), and Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs).
