Contracts Raiders Must Consider Cutting in 2024 Offseason
The Las Vegas Raiders have their new head coach in Antonio Pierce and their new general manager in Tom Telesco. Now, Las Vegas must begin the process of reloading for the 2024 season.
With a projected $43.4 million in cap space, the Raiders should be able to add quality pieces in free agency. However, Las Vegas also has some difficult decisions to make regarding impending free agents like Josh Jacobs, Adam Butler, Jermaine Eluemunor and Andre James.
It never hurts to enter free agency with extra cap space. With this in mind, let's dive into three contracts that the Raiders should consider cutting in the upcoming offseason.
WR Hunter Renfrow
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Wide receiver Hunter Renfrow is a fairly obvious cut candidate for the Raiders. Signed to a two-year, $32.3 million extension in 2022, Renfrow has struggled to play up to his contract since.
Renfrow caught just 25 passes for 255 yards and no touchdowns in 2023.
With Jakobi Meyers supplanting Renfrow as the No. 2 target behind Davante Adams, Las Vegas likely views Renfrow as expendable. The Raiders were reportedly close to trading him to the New Orleans Saints at the deadline, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. However, Renfrow's contract proved to be too much of an obstacle.
Renfrow's contract should be less of an issue now. Releasing him outright would save the Raiders $8.2 million in cap space while triggering a $5.5 million dead-cap hit. Releasing him with a post-June 1 designation would save $11.8 million in salary room.
Las Vegas will likely look to revisit Renfrow's trade market first, but if a deal cannot be reached, releasing him should be a relatively easy decision.
DT Jerry Tillery
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Following an eight-game audition in 2022, the Raiders signed defensive tackle Jerry Tillery to a two-year, $6.8 million extension. For its investment, Las Vegas got a fairly productive part-time player in its defensive line rotation.
Tillery played just 45 percent of the defensive snaps and finished with only 31 tackles, two sacks and nine quarterback pressures. However, he was available for all 17 games.
After ranking 21st in rushing yards allowed, though, Las Vegas may look to completely revamp its front seven. If that's the case, moving on from the 27-year-old Tillery could be part of the plan.
It's worth noting that Telesco was the Los Angeles Chargers' general manager when Tillery was waived by L.A. in November of 2022. There's a very real chance that Telesco's opinion of the 2019 first-round pick has not changed.
Tilley is set to carry a cap hit of $4.1 million, and releasing him would save $3.8 million in cap space.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo
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Aidan O'Connell showed flashes in 2023, but he probably isn't the long-term answer at quarterback. The 32-year-old Jimmy Garoppolo definitely isn't the answer. He posted a passer rating of just 77.7 in 2023 and was ultimately benched for the rookie by Pierce.
It has since become very clear that Garoppolo was a product of the former regime, and specifically, of former head coach Josh McDaniels.
According to Hondo S. Carpenter Sr. of Raiders Today, former general manager Dave Ziegler preferred re-signing Jarrett Stidham and adding Jacoby Brissett in free agency. McDaniels wanted Garoppolo and got his way.
Las Vegas inked Garoppolo to a hefty three-year, $72.8 million deal. The Raiders did, however, give themselves a bit of an out.
While Garoppolo's contract has $23.8 million in dead money remaining, the Raiders can dump him as early as this offseason. Releasing Garoppolo with a post-June 1 designation would trigger dead-cap hits of $15.5 million and $12.8 million in 2024 and 2025, respectively, but would also save $12.1 million in 2024 cap space.
The Raiders can afford to swallow that dead money in order to free cap room and move on to a QB plan that fits the new regime.
*Cap and contract information via Spotrac. Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference.
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