Raiders quiet on Day 2 of free agency, but key cuts coming

The Raiders were quiet Tuesday after starting free agency with a flourish the day before, agreeing to terms with defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and quarterback Gardner Minshew.

That doesn’t mean they weren’t busy. The Raiders continued to tinker with their roster and finalized plans to release quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow.

Both moves can happen as early as Wednesday, the start of the NFL’s new league year. The two cuts will save the Raiders almost $20 million in cap space at a minimum.

The team also said farewell to veteran cornerback Amik Robertson on Tuesday. He agreed to terms with the Lions on a two-year, $9.25 million contract that includes $4.5 million in guarantees.

Robertson joins running back Josh Jacobs, right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor and defensive tackle Bilal Nichols as the Raiders’ free-agent departures. Tight end Austin Hooper also left Tuesday night, joining the Patriots on a one-year deal.

Garoppolo’s release has been months in the making. It was made even easier in February. Garoppolo, 32, received a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substances policy. That gave the Raiders an opening to move on without owing him any money.

Garoppolo’s $11.25 million salary in 2024 was guaranteed when he signed a free-agent contract with the club in March 2023. His suspension is expected to void those guarantees. The Raiders will also avoid paying him his $11.25 million roster bonus for 2024 if they cut him before Sunday.

Releasing Garoppolo will free up $11.269 million in cap space right away. The Raiders can free up $24 million if they designate him a post-June 1 transaction. The only caveat is they would not be able to use that extra money immediately and would receive a $12 million charge against next year’s cap.

Either way, a relationship that seemed tenuous from the outset is nearing an end. It was discovered soon after Garoppolo agreed to sign with the Raiders last year that he needed foot surgery.

He wasn’t cleared to begin football activities until passing a physical just before training camp.

Garoppolo never looked comfortable in practices or games last season. That likely contributed to a performance that fell short of expectations. He made just six starts and went 3-3 while tossing seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. He was benched in favor of rookie Aidan O’Connell after coach Josh McDaniels was fired Oct. 31.

The Raiders hoped to trade Garoppolo, but his contract was a significant deterrent. He is expected to have multiple suitors once he hits the open market.

Renfrow, 28, is entering the final year of the contract extension he signed in 2021. He is due $11.153 million next season, but that figure is not guaranteed.

His release will save the Raiders $8.21 million in 2024 cap space. That could grow to $11.882 million if they designate the move as a post-June 1 transaction.

Renfrow became a fan favorite and a productive slot receiver after being selected in the fifth round of the 2019 draft. His best season came in 2021 when he caught 103 passes for 1,038 yards.

His production dropped off the past two years because of injuries. He also proved to be a poor fit in McDaniels’ offense. Renfrow had 330 receiving yards in 2022 and 255 in 2023.

The Raiders tried to unload Renfrow at the trade deadline last season. They wanted to find a trade partner during this offseason, but nothing came to fruition.

Robertson, a fourth-round pick out of Louisiana Tech in 2020, has spent all four of his NFL seasons with the Raiders. The 25-year-old came into his own last season and made 12 starts. He finished with two interceptions and 50 tackles.

Contact Vincent Bonsignore atvbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.