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Could the Raiders Move on Before the Season Even Starts?

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According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, Jimmy Garoppolo failed his physical after signing with the Las Vegas Raiders back in March. This led to the team reworking his contract to include what is essentially an “out” clause regarding Garoppolo’s surgically repaired foot.

Could the Raiders be in search of a new quarterback before the 2023 season even begins?

Jimmy Garoppolo Failed Physical Ramifications

When an NFL team signs or trades for a player, that player must pass a physical for the transaction to be official. Typically, this is just a formality. These are elite athletes in prime physical condition. Occasionally, players do fail physicals, often due to undisclosed or undiagnosed injuries.

Garoppolo’s foot issue was well-known to the Raiders. It was the injury that resulted in the San Francisco 49ers having to turn to Brock Purdy last season. As with most injuries to players, it is expected that the player will get the treatment he needs and be fine once he recovers, and Garoppolo, for his part, had surgery on his broken foot. However, it appears as though that foot is far from healed.

After failing his physical, the Raiders and Garoppolo renegotiated the terms of his contract. The team added several clauses related to the broken foot, including acknowledging the risk of further injury and absolving the Raiders of all potential liability.

Most notable for playing football purposes is the clause that converted Garoppolo’s entire $11.25 million signing bonus into his base salary. Garoppolo will only receive that money if the plays for the Raiders.

But Las Vegas can now release him at any point prior to the season if he is unable to pass a physical. In its simplest form, if Garoppolo doesn’t play a snap for the Raiders, he also won’t receive a dime from them.

What Might the Las Vegas Raiders Do if Jimmy Garoppolo Can’t Play?

It’s easy to dismiss injury concerns in May as likely to be resolved by September. Of course, three months is a long time. However, this contract was negotiated in March, and the Raiders were clearly concerned enough to not be willing to sign Garoppolo without assurances.

We must acknowledge the very real possibility that Garoppolo won’t be healthy this season. If that happens, what are the Raiders’ options at quarterback?

After mutually agreeing to part ways with Derek Carr, the Raiders shut him down ahead of the final two games of the 2022 season. They gave Jarrett Stidham a two-game audition, and he actually fared reasonably well.

In his first start in Week 17, Stidham threw for 365 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions against the 49ers. In Week 18, he threw for 219 yards, one touchdown, and one interception against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, the Raiders did not re-sign Stidham, allowing him to sign with the Denver Broncos.

MORE: Las Vegas Raiders Schedule 2023

Instead, the Raiders signed long-time New England Patriots backup quarterback, Brian Hoyer. Currently, Hoyer sits at No. 2 on the team’s depth chart. Behind him is rookie fourth-rounder Aidan O’Connell and rookie UDFA Chase Garbers. Suffice it to say the Raiders are in a world of trouble if Garoppolo can’t play.

The most obvious solution fans have come up with is Tom Brady. In light of his recent agreement to purchase a minority ownership stake in the Raiders, Brady is naturally being connected to the franchise on the field.

While the idea of Brady returning at age 46 and playing for his former offensive coordinator is alluring, as Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal informs us, Brady’s ownership status actually makes a return more complicated.

Jimmy Garoppolo

Brady’s agreement to own part of the Raiders remains in principle only. He still needs the transaction to be approved by the rest of the owners. Those owners could require the provision that Brady does not return to play. And if he does seek to return, he might have to sell his stake in the team, with approval from the owners again, before he can play.

Even if Brady were able to do all of that without a hitch, the Raiders would still need to officially sign Brady, which would not be cheap.

All of this is to say it is exceedingly unlikely we ever see Brady play football again, especially for the Raiders this season. If Garoppolo is unable to play, the Raiders have three realistic options.

First, they could stick with what they have. The Raiders have three other quarterbacks on the roster. They could roll with Hoyer and essentially tank the season or perhaps start the rookie O’Connell. It’s a similar move to what the Washington Commanders seem to be doing with 2022 fifth-round pick Sam Howell.

We already know what Hoyer is — the team is not going anywhere with him. And while Day 3 quarterbacks have a very low probability of success, perhaps O’Connell could surprise us?

Second, they could sign someone. Of course, there’s a reason all of the available free agent quarterbacks are unsigned. But if the Raiders are serious about competing this year, they cannot enter the season with Hoyer, O’Connell, and Garbers as their quarterback room.

MORE: Jimmy Garoppolo Injury Update

Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan remain unsigned. We also saw Teddy Bridgewater and Joe Flacco get into games last year. Cam Newton has expressed interest in reviving his career, as well. None of these options are ideal, but this is what’s out there.

Third, and perhaps the route they should try and take if they want to give 2023 a serious run, is to make a trade. After drafting Will Levis in the second round, the Titans could potentially move Ryan Tannehill. Perhaps the Steelers are fine with Mason Rudolph backing up Kenny Pickett and are willing to part with Mitch Trubisky. If Brock Purdy is fully healthy, maybe the 49ers part with Trey Lance?

Right now, everything is speculation. The most likely scenario remains that Garoppolo is able to pass a physical by August and is ready to go for Week 1. But if not, the Raiders may find themselves scrambling to secure a quarterback for the 2023 season.





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Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

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Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said. 

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted. 

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

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The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

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Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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