As it stands now, Jimmy Garoppolo will be the next starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Jimmy G underwent foot surgery after inking his recent deal with the Silver and Black, which has understandably raised some concerns. Still, both Garoppolo and Vegas head coach Josh McDaniels have expressed no concern surrounding the quarterback's availability to begin the upcoming season.

Of course, Garoppolo will need to pass a physical prior to the regular season or he will be subjected to a contractual release clause.

For the purpose of this piece, let's assume Jimmy G receives a clean bill of health and is able to start the season on the Raiders' active roster.

Make no mistake: there is plenty of potential in Sin City, and Garoppolo possesses a few favorable quarterbacking traits that could make him a natural fit.

The NFL MVP odds at FanDuel Sportsbook have Garoppolo at +10000 to win the AP NFL MVP award in 2023, which is the same odds as Kyler Murray, Justin Jefferson, Ryan Tannehill and Sam Howell. Of that bunch, Garoppolo seemingly has the best value in this market.

Why Can Jimmy G Win It?

Garoppolo is a player who receives his fair share of scrutiny; that statement can pertain to most quarterbacks in the NFL. Still, after six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers (highlighted by an NFC championship in 2019), it seemed the professional relationship for Garoppolo in the Bay Area had run its course.

Jimmy G will now join forces with a familiar face in McDaniels. Since taking over as Raider Nation's head coach, McDaniels has gradually brought over more and more former New England Patriots: Brandon Bolden, Chandler Jones, Jakobi Meyers and Jakob Johnson are some other examples.

McDaniels entrusted the offense to Derek Carr for just one season before electing to move on to Garoppolo. Will Vegas' offensive production explode with a signal-caller who has more experience in the system?

On paper, there is certainly an opportunity for any quarterback to thrive with the Raiders' current skill group. In 2022, both Davante Adams and Josh Jacobs were named NFL First-Team All-Pros. Additionally, Vegas managed to address a few positional needs in the 2023 NFL Draft, including landing a highly regarded tight end in Michael Mayer.

The Raiders play in the high-flying AFC West, so they will naturally have a difficult road to success in the upcoming season. At the moment, the Super Bowl odds at FanDuel Sportsbook list the Silver and Black at +6000 to win Super Bowl LVIII (which will be hosted at the Raiders' home stadium).

Be that as it may, Garoppolo lighting it up in Las Vegas is not an impossibility.

The Raiders' 2023 Offensive Outlook

As mentioned, the Raiders already have multiple cornerstone players on offense. Adams and Jacobs each led the NFL in major statistical categories last year. The sheer presence of those two in any formation will immediately leave a quarterback in a more favorable spot.

Like in San Francisco (and New England), Garoppolo will have the ability to let the run game predicate the entire offensive playbook. Jacobs -- who rushed for 1,653 yards last season -- is a burley tailback who plays with both speed and power and can contribute in the passing game. The Raiders also boast youth behind Jacobs with Zamir White and Brittain Brown.

Vegas' receiving corps is definitely better than average. Adams is a playmaker who can score from anywhere on the gridiron, and Hunter Renfrow is among the craftiest route-runners in the league. Jakobi Meyers was added to the Raiders in the offseason. Dynamic tight end Darren Waller is now with the New York Giants, but Las Vegas drafted the aforementioned Mayer from Notre Dame to fill the void.

Something to Prove

Garoppolo's abilities frequently provide debate material for NFL fans and talking heads. Despite his limitations, there are aspects of the game that Jimmy G handles proficiently. Garoppolo has never finished in the top five of MVP voting, but he has had multiple impressive seasons.

Jimmy G has passed for more than 3,800 yards in a single season on two separate occasions. Also, his lifetime interception rate of 2.4% puts him among the most precise quarterbacks. He has big-game experience, throws the intermediate passes well and delivers the football on schedule.

Still, Garoppolo entering the AFC West makes his MVP task a difficult one. Winning the division is paramount for a quarterback to win MVP. The last time a signal caller won the MVP but not his own division was when Peyton Manning did it in 2008 (despite the Tennessee Titans claiming the AFC South crown).

Right now, the Raiders are the longest shot (+1200) to win the AFC West, per the NFL division winner odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. The Kansas City Chiefs are the favorite while the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers will be tough competition, too.

Conclusion

If Garoppolo's health allows him to start in Week 1 of the 2023 campaign, as both sides believe will be the case, he will walk into a friendly situation on offense. With experience running McDaniels' schemes in New England, Jimmy G should look more fluid in the offense than Carr did last year.

The Raiders have a deep, talented group in the offensive skill positions, and Garoppolo getting rid of the football on time should do wonders for players like Adams, Renfrow and Meyers. Jacobs and the ground game will always be there to create boom and balance.

Las Vegas plays in one of the best divisions in the NFL. If Garoppolo can somehow propel Raider Nation into the same tier as Kansas City, he will gain notable attention. With his current 2023 MVP odds set at 100/1 on FanDuel Sportsbook, there is enough value to warrant some action on Jimmy G.

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author’s advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.