BREAKING: Patriots Ex Jimmy Garoppolo Suspended Two Games

Former New England Patriots' quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has been suspended two games for violation of the NFL's performance-enhancing substances policy.

A former New England Patriots quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, will open next season on suspension due to a violation of the NFL's performance-enhancing substances policy. 

As first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter, Garoppolo's violation is due to his usage of a "prescribed medication" that he was taking without being on the league's "Therapeutic Use Exemption." This will force Garoppolo to miss the opening two games of the 2024 season, as he is not expected to appeal the decision. 

It is fairly ironic, given that Garoppolo likely wouldn't be where he is today without the suspension of then-Patriots starting quarterback Tom Brady at the start of the 2016 season as punishment for the "deflategate" scandal. 

Oct 15, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) lines up behind centre Andre James (68) in the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium / Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

It was following his two starts in New England that his career took off. Garoppolo would end up being traded during the 2017 season to the San Francisco 49ers, where he'd eventually lead the Niners to the doorstep of a Super Bowl in 2019 despite his first two seasons being ended prematurely due to injuries.  

In the first of two Super Bowl meetings, the Kansas City Chiefs overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat San Francisco. That would turn out to be the peak of Garoppolo's six years in San Francisco as he played just 32 games in the next three seasons due to injuries, with his foot injury in 2022 ultimately giving way to Brock Purdy's emergence. 

With Purdy's breakout in San Francisco, Garoppolo signed with the Las Vegas Raiders last offseason to reunite with former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. However, as it has many times throughout his career, injuries hampered Garoppolo. 

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The 32-year-old played just seven games last season for the Raiders, leading them to a 3-3 record in his six starts, as he threw for 1,205 yards, seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. 

Now, after the Raiders fired both McDaniel and general manager Dave Ziegler at midseason before replacing them with Antonio Pierce and Tom Telesco, it is expected that Garoppolo will be cut and find himself back in free agency.

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