Quarterbacks who, despite currently being under contract for 2024, are candidates to be cut before next season begins. Understanding the risks and opportunities of the four quarterbacks below is important.
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Jimmy Garoppolo, Las Vegas
Jimmy Garoppolo signed a three-year, 72.75-million-dollar contract with the Raiders in March. The contract contains only 33.75 million dollars in guaranteed salary, with only $11.25 in salary in 2024 guaranteed beyond the 2023 season. Garoppolo has a roster bonus of $11.25 million dollars due on the third day of the league year in 2024, so his status with the team should be clear in March of 2024. The team was in the market for a trade-up for Bryce Young in the 2023 NFL Draft but passed on the position after Young was selected with the first pick in the draft. The team could struggle this season and put the Josh McDaniels era in jeopardy. Raiders have optionality if Garoppolo struggles to stay healthy for a full season, and the team could be a candidate to select a quarterback high in the 2024 draft if Garoppolo is a disappointment in 2023.
Jared Goff, Detroit
Jared Goff was traded to Detroit as part of the Matthew Stafford deal in 2021, and the team has not spent significant draft compensation on quarterbacks since then. Goff has a team-friendly contract in 2023 and 2024, counting just below 31 and 32 million dollars each of the next two seasons. Goff will count only 13.7% and 12.5%. Despite consistent media speculation, the team has committed to Goff despite multiple opportunities to go another route at the position for three straight offseasons. Goff lead the league in expected points added from Week 10 through Week 18, which was likely the best stretch of his career. The team will save nearly 27 million dollars if Detroit cuts him in 2024 with only a 5-million-dollar cap hit. While Goff is a cut candidate, he may also be an extension candidate as the team has reportedly opened a dialog with the quarterback. That said, a disastrous 2023 could take a potential deal off the table.