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The Raiders have decided to bench veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, opting instead for rookie Aidan O’Connell to lead the team, according to NFL Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.
Garoppolo started 6 games this season and mostly struggled, leading the NFL with 9 interceptions while adding 1,205 pass yards and seven touchdowns.
.@Lions intercept it on the very next play!
📺: #LVvsDET on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/3b1HZU34bs pic.twitter.com/IvwzicmMPA— NFL (@NFL) October 31, 2023
Garoppolo has missed wide open receivers throughout the season, including WR1 Davante Adams a number of times in their last game on Monday Night Football against the Lions.
As open as you can be and Jimmy Garoppolo overthrows Davante Adams pic.twitter.com/0R6Nr5Og3C
— Tanner Phifer (@TannerPhiferNFL) October 31, 2023
The benching follows the news about head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler getting fired on Tuesday. McDaniels had signed Garoppolo to a 3-year, $72.75 million contract during free agency, which obviously didn’t work out.
Rookie QB Aidan O’Connell will take over as starter against the struggling 2-6 Giants in Week 9 and going forward. A source told Rapoport that the Raiders are turning to O’Connell because, in their eyes, “He’s our best QB.”