Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo of the Las Vegas Raiders attends the press conference at Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center in Henderson, Nevada, March 17, 2023. /CFP
Quarterback (QB) Jimmy Garoppolo, who joined the Las Vegas Raiders on a three-year, $67.5 million contract as a free agent during the NFL offseason, was introduced at the press conference on Friday.
"I'm coming with the mindset that I need to earn everything – I don't want to be given any 'You're the franchise guy,' or whatever. I want to come in and earn it. I think it will come through hard work, working with teammates and being in the facility. All those little things will play a role. But yeah, I don't want to be given anything; I want to earn it," Garopolo said.
Having signed with the Raiders, the 31-year-old QB joined hands again with coach Josh McDaniels, who was the New England Patriots offensive coordinator between 2012 and 2021. Garoppolo was drafted by the Patriots with the 62nd pick in 2014 and played three seasons there as Tom Brady's backup.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo of the San Francisco 49ers warms up ahead of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara, California, December 4, 2022. /CFP
"I don't know if it was planned, but I swear he planned it – Tom Brady walked in," Garoppolo recalled his first meeting with McDaniels. "And I thought it would throw me off a little bit because I had never met him before, and a little starstruck. But yeah, he walked out, and Josh kept going with the teaching. That was our first interaction."
Due to injuries, Garoppolo has only played two relatively complete seasons in his nine-year NFL career, but when he was able to appear frequently on the field, he was able to lead his team to victory. He coached the San Francisco 49ers to Super Bowl LIV in 2020 and the NFC Championship Game in 2022.
"He's a winner," the Raiders' wide receiver Phillip Dorsett said of Garoppolo. "Everywhere he's been, he's won games. I mean, I feel like that's the most important stat for quarterbacks, just going out there and just winning and making the right plays at the right time ... his record speaks for itself. He's a guy that plays the game the right way. He goes out there, he makes the right play, he makes a smart play, and he's a winner and I love playing with him. I was only with him for a little bit in New England and he left that big of an impression on me."
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (#10) of the San Francisco 49ers passes in the game against the New Orleans Saints at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara, California, November 27, 2022. /CFP
The Raiders finished the 2022 season with a 6-11 record and ranked third in the American Football Conference West, failing to reach the playoffs. They parted ways with their long-time QB Derek Carr, but still, keep a competitive squad that includes three-time First-team All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams and two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby.
"I want to be the leader because guys respect me and believe in me. ... I think it will happen naturally. I don't want to force anything, be inauthentic. I just want to be myself and it's done me well in the past," Garoppolo said.
"I'm trying to win a Super Bowl. I know every player says that when they come up to their first press conference, but that's my goal – get a ring, get the Silver and Black back to where it should be. I know it's not an easy process. I've been through it. In San Francisco, [the 49ers were] lower end of the field when I first got there, [so] it's a process. But it will be worth it," he added.