Garoppolo's contract with Raiders includes injury waiver clause
The Las Vegas Raiders included a waiver clause in the contract for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo that could see the team part with him before he plays a snap.
Garoppolo signed a three-year, $72.75-million contract with Las Vegas as a free agent in March. The veteran passer's deal includes a waiver and release, Addendum G, that addresses a foot injury Garoppolo suffered during the 2022 season as a member of the San Francisco 49ers, in a copy of the contract obtained by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The initial contract reportedly included a $11.25-million signing bonus along with a $11.25-million base salary in 2023, per Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. However, the Raiders removed the signing bonus due to Garoppolo's foot ailment, opting for a full $22.5-million base salary next season. The Raiders' projected starter won't earn any of his salary until he passes a physical exam, per Florio.
The Raiders reportedly determined that the 31-year-old passer needed to undergo surgery during a physical. The waiver specifies that the free-agent passer would not have passed the team's medical check without being granted an exception.
Garoppolo sustained a foot injury in the first quarter of the 49ers' Week 13 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. There was optimism that he could return for the team's playoff run, but he ultimately missed the remainder of the season. Rookie Brock Purdy took over the starting role, leading San Francisco to a 5-0 record as a starter and a berth in the NFC Championship Game.
The contract also preserves the club's right to terminate the agreement for any reasons related to the waiver and release of the Addendum G. The waiver becomes null and void when Garoppolo passes his physical, and it's active for the regular season and while he doesn't re-aggravate the foot injury.
Head coach Josh McDaniels is set to reunite with Garoppolo after the pair spent time together with the New England Patriots. The 2023 season will mark the first time that Derek Carr won't begin the season as the team's starting signal-caller since 2014.