Raiders' Jimmy Garoppolo: Could be bound for bench

Garoppolo appears to be headed for a bench role, as the Raiders are "leaning toward" having rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell start Sunday's game against the Giants, a source tells Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Bonsignore issued his report just over an hour after the Raiders announced the firings of head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager David Ziegler. The coaching and front-office shakeup looks as though it may extend to the team's personnel, as the 3-5 Raiders could be motivated to give O'Connell a longer look in the midst of a losing season, especially with Garoppolo having underwhelmed through his first six starts with Las Vegas. Despite missing one game apiece due to a concussion and back injury, Garoppolo has thrown a league-high nine interceptions on the season. He had completed 68.1 percent of his throws and averaged a respectable 7.5 yards per attempt through his first three starts, but since returning from the concussion that kept him out Week 4, Garoppolo has seen his efficiency dip substantially over his subsequent three starts (62.2 percent completion rate, 6.7 YPA). Garoppolo is in the first season of a three-year, $72.75 million contract, but only $33.75 million of the deal is fully guaranteed. The Raiders would still take a $28.3 million dead-cap hit for 2024 if they release Garoppolo next year, but they could lower his cap hit to $15.5 million for 2024 and $12.8 million for 2025 if they designate him as a post-June 1 cut.