The Las Vegas Raiders find themselves without their newly acquired quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, for OTA’s this week. The 31-year-old signal-caller had to undergo surgery after signing a lucrative three-year, $72.75 million deal with the team.
Despite this setback, Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels remains calm and emphasizes the importance of patience in his recovery process.
Josh McDaniels weighs in on Jimmy Garoppolo’s comeback
Speaking about the quarterback’s comeback, McDaniels stated, “He’s going through his process just like we knew he would. Nothing has happened that would surprise us based on the information we had.”
“We don’t play a game for 100 days. Everything that’s happened since we signed Jimmy, we knew ahead of time. Certainly had an awareness of all of it. Our preference is not to push it and rush anybody back at this point in time,” he added.
Although Garoppolo is expected to return in time for the start of the regular season, the limited time available to learn the playbook and establish chemistry with his new teammates is a concern. The Raiders do have Brian Hoyer as a reliable backup for Garoppolo, and they also traded up in the 2023 NFL Draft to acquire Aidan O’Connell.
Given Garoppolo’s current situation, the Raiders’ decision to bring in additional quarterbacks makes even more sense. Despite the setback, the quarterback is still seen as a valuable player. The Raiders have only made the playoffs twice in the last decade and face tough competition in their division, particularly from the Kansas City Chiefs.
When did Jimmy Garoppolo have surgery?
When he joined the Raiders, the team had hoped he would be the long-term replacement for quarterback Derek Carr, but his absence due to injury has put those plans on hold.
The quarterback suffered a left foot fracture while playing for the 49ers in December. At the time, team doctors advised against surgery, predicting a two-month recovery period. The Raiders were aware of this injury when they signed Garoppolo, but they only learned after the deal was finalized that the quarterback actually required surgery.
Originally, the plan for the player was to return to the 49ers in time for the Super Bowl if the team had made it that far. However, the 49ers fell short in the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles, effectively ending Garoppolo’s tenure with the team. Shortly after the season, the quarterback signed with the Raiders, but it was discovered post-signing that he needed surgery.
The timeline for his recovery remains uncertain, and it could take several months before he is back to full fitness. This setback is undoubtedly disappointing for the Raiders, as they were eager to start working with their new quarterback during OTA. However, Coach McDaniels remains unfazed by the situation.
In conclusion, while the Raiders would have preferred to have the quarterback available for OTA’s, they are choosing to prioritize his recovery and not rush him back onto the field. Coach McDaniels’ emphasis on patience reflects the team’s long-term approach. Although Garoppolo’s absence will impact the team’s preparation, the Raiders have backup options in place and believe in their quarterback’s ability to lead them to postseason success.
