Raiders star Jimmy Garoppolo ‘is SUSPENDED by the NFL for two games for PEDs violation’… but quarterback ‘is NOT expected to serve the ban in Las Vegas with team set to release him’

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has been suspended for two games by the NFL for violating its performance-enhancing drug policy.

According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, the violation stems from his “taking a prescription drug without a valid therapeutic use exemption.”

Garoppolo likely won’t serve the suspension with the Raiders, as the quarterback will be released by the team due to poor performance in 2023.

Schefter reports that the team will likely release the quarterback before March 5, the start of the new league year, to avoid paying him an $11.25 million roster bonus.

Garoppolo signed a three-year deal last year worth $72.75 million with $33.75 million guaranteed. But with a new head coach and general manager at the helm, they are expected to try to land a new quarterback in the upcoming draft.

Schefter reports that the Raiders could trade up for the No. 13 overall pick the team currently has to get a better prospect.

Once Garoppolo is released, Las Vegas will only have rookie Aidan O’Connell and veteran backup Brian Hoyer on their roster.

This will leave the 32-year-old Garoppolo looking for a third team in three seasons after playing for San Francisco in 2022 before joining Las Vegas in 2023.

Garoppolo spent four seasons as Tom Brady’s backup in New England and watched the Patriots win Super Bowl XLIX and Super Bowl LI.

He was then traded to the 49ers and led them to their own championship game: Super Bowl LIV, which they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The 2022 season saw Garoppolo initially sit on the bench before taking over for an injured Trey Lance.

Garoppolo started for San Francisco from Week 3 to Week 13, when he also went down with a foot injury.

In Las Vegas, Garoppolo was benched for O’Connell after a lackluster 3-5 start to the season.