Stephen A. Smith Has A Strong Belief About Jimmy Garoppolo With Raiders

(Photo by Skip Bolen/Getty Images)

The Las Vegas Raiders have a new quarterback leading their franchise.

After releasing Derek Carr, the Raiders were in the quarterback market in free agency.

On Monday, they agreed to a contract with their new guy.

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will take over as the new starter in Las Vegas.

One of the many reasons this deal went down is because of the relationship between Garoppolo and his new head coach.

Josh McDaniels might be coaching for his job in 2023, and he got the quarterback he wanted.

Garoppolo and McDaniels spent three years together in New England.

Even though Garoppolo was the backup to Tom Brady, he was always around McDaniels.

There is a familiarity in his style of offense that will allow Jimmy G to hit the ground running.

Stephen A Smith believes that Garoppolo will be an upgrade over Derek Carr in Las Vegas.

.@stephenasmith believes Jimmy G is an UPGRADE over Derek Carr for the Raiders pic.twitter.com/VGo3aCpDIg

— First Take (@FirstTake) March 14, 2023

Despite having to play in the toughest division in the NFL, Smith seems to believe the Raiders could make a run.

He thinks they are good enough to finish second, behind the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs.

That would more than likely be good enough for a wild-card spot.

If Garoppolo can win a playoff game in Las Vegas, that will already be more than Carr could accomplish.

It should not be far-fetched to believe he could do that in year one.

The Raiders have very good offensive skill weapons like Josh Jacobs, Davante Adams, and newly signed Jakobi Meyers.

This should help make Garoppolo’s job easier.

He will have plenty of pressure on him playing in Las Vegas, and anything short of the playoffs would be a disappointment.

NFL Bulletin