Title: Jimmy Garoppolo Passes Physical, Inspiring Confidence in the Raiders
Date: August 10, 2023
Written by: Paul Gutierrez, ESPN Staff Writer
HENDERSON, Nev. — In a joint practice session between the Las Vegas Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers, Jimmy Garoppolo’s physical results served as a source of encouragement for the Raiders. The quarterback, who recently joined the Raiders after his tenure with the 49ers, passed his physical examination with flying colors.
During the practice session, Garoppolo found himself surrounded by familiar faces from his former team, which added a touch of irony to the proceedings. The quarterback shared a light-hearted moment with his former teammates, even as the 49ers’ defense engaged in friendly banter.
“First play, Dre [Greenlaw] was talking, got things going right away,” Garoppolo chuckled, referring to the linebacker. “Those are my brothers. I love those guys. We had a good time out there competing.”
Garoppolo reflected on his final month with the 49ers, a period marked by injuries and missed opportunities. After starting as the quarterback due to an injury to Trey Lance, Garoppolo led the team to a 7-3 record before suffering a left foot injury. Although he was unable to join the team in subsequent games, he was confident that he would have been ready for the Super Bowl had the 49ers made it.
“It was wild, man,” Garoppolo recalled. “I was doing my thing, trying to get my foot ready. It didn’t work out how I wished it would have, but those guys going through three quarterbacks and still making it to the NFC Championship Game, I mean, that’s damn impressive for a team. The Niners, you know, they’ve got a great team and everything. We had had a great time.”
Garoppolo’s journey to the Raiders was not without hurdles. After signing a lucrative three-year, $72.75 million free agent contract with the team, he underwent foot surgery and had to sign a waiver in case he was unable to pass a physical examination. However, Garoppolo surpassed expectations and proved his fitness before joining the training camp.
Although Garoppolo’s recent practice performance has had some ups and downs, with a combined seven interceptions in two sessions last week, his improvement has been notable. In the joint practice against the 49ers, he showcased his skills with no interceptions.
Regarding Garoppolo’s progress, Raiders coach Josh McDaniels, who previously worked with the quarterback in New England, expressed his confidence. McDaniels emphasized that it takes time to transition into a new team and system, particularly after a significant injury. He commended Garoppolo’s positive attitude and displayed faith in his continuous improvement.
The Raiders’ defense has also recognized Garoppolo’s growth and resilience. Edge rusher Maxx Crosby remarked on the quarterback’s increasing confidence and praised his mental fortitude. The locker room has quickly embraced Garoppolo, who has managed to win over his new teammates in a short period.
When asked about how he has endeared himself to his new teammates, Garoppolo attributed it to staying true to himself and fostering a genuine desire to win.
“I think being authentic, be yourself and, you know, own it,” he said. “I think that’s a big part of it because we spend so much time together in there, spend more time with these guys than you do your own family. So, the guys are going to see through the fakeness. I think just being authentic, being yourself and wanting to win at the end of the day, that’s what people expect.”
With Garoppolo passing his physical and proving his worth in practice, the Raiders can now look forward to a promising season with their new quarterback leading the way.