The quarterback situation for the Las Vegas Raiders has gotten murky in recent weeks. There were some reports that Tom Brady could come out of retirement to take over the team, which stemmed from concerns surrounding Jimmy Garoppolo.
The Raiders signed Garoppolo in free agency earlier this offseason, but there were a few snags in the road. He reportedly didn’t pass his physical at first, which led to him having to undergo surgery on his foot that he didn’t originally think that he needed. As a result, he signed a waiver/release in place of a physical.
The Raiders can get out of the contract should Garoppolo not be healthy enough to get on the field at the start of the season. But, that isn’t something that Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels is concerned or worried about.
“I have no anxiety,” McDaniels said. “You guys may have anxiety. I have no anxiety.
“I’m not going to put a timeline or a day on anything.”
Garoppolo has yet to take the field for any practice or workouts during OTAs with his new team as he rehabs from surgery. With Brady also confirming he will not be taking the field this year for the Raiders, or anyone, it could leave Las Vegas in a tough spot.
Taking first-team reps for the Raiders right now is Brian Hoyer, who also has experience playing in McDaniels’ system from time with the New England Patriots. Fourth-round pick Aidan O’Connell and Chase Garbers, who is returning for Year 2 with the team, round out the quarterback depth chart currently.
McDaniels was asked why has no anxiety about the quarterback position despite there seemingly being legitimate concerns Garoppolo won’t be able to take the field. He is content with the information that he has received and isn’t going to put time and energy into something he has no control over.
“I don’t worry about the things I can’t control,” McDaniels said. “I have very good information that tells me that we’re going to be fine, you know what I mean? So again, nothing has happened that would’ve changed that, so that’s why I feel that way.”
This will be something to keep an eye on in the coming weeks. If Garoppolo is unable to get on the field, it sets the Raiders back before even taking a snap. Garoppolo may not be considered an elite option by many, but he is certainly capable of helping a team more than the other quarterbacks McDaniels would turn to in the event he cannot play.
