On Thursday, October 19th, 2023 the Las Vegas Raiders announced that their veteran starting quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo will not play in last Sunday afternoon’s NFL week – 7 football game vs. the Chicago Bears due to his current back injury.

Replacing Garoppolo as Quarterback:

Prior to the game, the Las Vegas Raiders who were sitting at 3 and 3 will have to turn to either their rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who started Las Vegas’ NFL week – 4 defeat at the Los Angeles Chargers with Garoppolo sitting out with a concussion, or the Las Vegas Raiders 15th – year veteran quarterback in Brian Hoyer, who replaced the injured Garoppolo at halftime of last Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots. The Las Vegas Raiders ultimately decided to start Hoyer against the Chicago Bears last Sunday.

The Chicago Bears Current Quarterback Situation:

The now 2 and 5 Chicago Bears, meanwhile had their undrafted rookie QB, Tyson Bagent, in line to start at quarterback against the Las Vegas Raiders last Sunday with Justin Fields ruled out of the contest due to his dislocated right thumb.

“Yeah, just try to do my job every day,” the Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell explained. “Try to get better. Definitely learn. It’s a day – at – a – time process. Take it day by day, so I’m trying to do that. It’s up to the coaches. It’s how they see [the] best fit, and so, you know, I’m young, I’m definitely just taking what they say and trying to do my best, whatever that is.”

Aidan O’Connell:

O’Connell, who is a 4th – round NFL draft pick out of Purdue University, has passed for 238 – passing yards while completing 24 of his 39 – pass attempts with 1 – interception while playing against the Los Angeles Chargers. O’Connell also was sacked 7 – times and lost 2 of his 3 -fumbles too.

When Aidan was asked whether or not the experience playing against the Los Angeles Chargers should help him out if he did have to start against the Chicago Bears, O’Connell goes on to say, “You’d hope, but it’s also, it’s a different scheme, different team. So again, just trying to take it one day at a time.”

Brian Hoyer:

Hoyer mentioned that he prepared for the game as he does every week regardless of the situation.

“Part of being in that role … is you never know, and you always prepare for the best and prepare to help the team any way you can,” says Hoyer.

Hoyer passed for 102 – passing yards as he completed 6 of his 10 throws versus the New England Patriots, that including a 48 – yard completion to his rookie wide receiver Tre Tucker that was the Las Vegas Raiders’ longest play of the 2023 – 2024 NFL season so far. Hoyer was asked whether or not he felt that he had played well enough to warrant the start in Chicago versus the Bears.

“Well, I mean, that’s not up to me,” the NFL veteran QB in Brian Hoyer expressed. “Whatever I play, I want to play good for myself and my teammates, for the coaches. So, I’ve played for 15 – years, and whatever the situation is, Sunday it is, and I’ll be ready to go.”

Prior to the NFL week – 7 game the now 38 – year – old Hoyer has managed to lose 12 – consecutive starts, and 105 – quarterbacks have won an NFL start since he was last credited with an NFL victory which was on October 2nd, 2016. That win just so happened to occur at Soldier Field when Hoyer played for the Chicago Bears, one of the 8 – total NFL teams that he has played quarterback for.

“I mean, nothing ever gets any easier,” says Hoyer. “I think every week is its own situation and you try to handle it the best you can, and whatever happens Sunday, you’ve just got to be ready. And whether it’s the first snap, second half, the fourth quarter, you never know what it’s going to be. So, it’s the role that I’m here for and hopefully do the best I can.

 “My daughter does equestrian, and she gets nervous before each ride. I’m like, ‘Honey, I’ve been playing football for 15 – years and I get nervous even if I don’t know if I’m going to play or not.’ So, I think it’s not so much nervous, it’s anxious. Those are good feelings. That means you care. That means you’re still in it.”

Jimmy Garoppolo:

Garoppolo, who was injured on the Las Vegas Raiders’ last 1st – half drive versus the New England Patriots following him twisting down very awkwardly as he grabbed at his lower right back, and Jimmy did not practice last Wednesday or Thursday. Garoppolo left Sunday’s game at halftime by ambulance in order to get scanned for a possible serious internal injury. The Las Vegas Raiders head coach, Josh McDaniels, on Monday said it, “Seems like we’ve dodged a big bullet.”

Over the course of the initial 5 – games for the Las Vegas Raiders, Garoppolo, who recently signed a 3 – year free agent contract with the Las Vegas Raiders worth up to approximately $72.75 million, has passed for 1,079 – passing yards while completing 68.0 % of his pass attempts, with a total of 7 – touchdowns as well as an NFL – high 8 – interceptions. Garoppolo has a current passer rating of 82.6 and a Total QBR of 48.3 right now.

The Results of the Game:

On Sunday, October 22nd, 2023 the Chicago Bears dominated the Las Vegas Raiders as the Chicago Bears won the match up with a final score of 30 to 12. The Chicago Bears undrafted rookie quarterback in Bagent shocked the crowd of Soldier Field by throwing 21 of 29 which was good for 162 – passing yards as well as 1 – touchdown completion. Tyson had an overall completion percentage of 72.4 %, and he posted a QBR of 70.1 in last Sunday’s game versus the Las Vegas Raiders.

Not only did Bagent put up great numbers at quarterback for the Chicago Bears, he handled the pressure of the situation extremely well. He looked poised and under control the entire game. Tyson managed the game exceptionally well by making great decisions, and not turning the ball over either. Hoyer on the other hand struggled throughout the game, and he managed to throw 2 – interceptions.

Garoppolo’s Football Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards:

  • 2 – Time Super Bowl Champion (XLIX, LI)
  • Walter Payton Award Winner (2013)
  • OVC Offensive Player of the Year Award Winner (2013)
  • First – Team All – OVC Selection (2013)
  • Second – Team All – OVC Selection (2012)