If the Raiders did not cut the $72 million star, an insider would be shocked

With Aidan O’Connell scoring four touchdowns against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15, Jimmy Garoppolo is unlikely to play quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders again this season, barring an injury. The organization signed him to a three-year, $72.75 million contract in the offseason, which appears to be one of the worst decisions of the year.

Despite the fact that Garoppolo faces a $28.3 million dead cap penalty if released in 2024, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell believes the Raiders will release him this offseason.

“O’Connell will be in the second year of his rookie deal,” Barnwell wrote in a December 21 column. “Unless something extraordinary happens, the Raiders will release Garoppolo, who will earn just over $35 million for six starts in a Raiders uniform.” And $11.3 million of that total is a guaranteed bonus due next season. For Garoppolo, Vegas will have approximately $29 million in dead money distributed over the next two years on its cap.

Hoyer is under contract for next season, and his $2.2 million salary is completely guaranteed, a nice parting gift from McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler. The Raiders may simply cut Hoyer and eat the money, though the 38-year-old might act as a player-coach as a backup.”

The Raiders would have to eat that dead cap, but Garoppolo didn’t appear like a capable NFL quarterback this season.

Will Aidan O’Connell be a contender for the starting job next season?

Aidan O’Connell’s season has been up and down. He had four touchdowns and seven interceptions this season prior to the Chargers game. His four touchdown throws versus Los Angeles aided his stats, but that performance should be viewed with caution.

This season, the Chargers’ defense ranks in the bottom five in terms of points and yards allowed. Following the game, the team sacked head coach Brandon Staley. In Week 16, the Raiders face an outstanding Kansas City Chiefs defense, which will be a much tougher test for O’Connell.

He’s shown some good moments this season, but he’s also coming off a scoreless performance against the Minnesota Vikings. O’Connell has yet to demonstrate enough for the Raiders to commit to him as the starting quarterback next season.

Antonio Pierce Discusses the Kansas City Chiefs’ Trick Plays

Upsetting the Chiefs in Week 16 would undoubtedly boost Aidan O’Connell’s prospects of starting at quarterback next season. It would also be beneficial for Antonio Pierce to acquire the full-time head coaching post.

Limiting the efficiency of the Chiefs’ trick plays is one method to halt them. Pierce discussed how the Raiders can stop them.

“These guys have a million of them,” Pierce remarked of the Chiefs’ trick plays at a media availability on December 20. “Just when you think you’ve seen it all, here comes another one.” They’re inventive, and they enjoy themselves. We watched their ‘Ring Around the Rosie’ promotion last year. That’s all good fun and games.

“But, at some point, what is the best way to stop a trick play?” “Smack ’em in the mouth.”