Just a couple of seasons ago Hunter Renfrow was viewed as arguably the best slot receiver in the NFL. In 2021 the Las Vegas Raiders receiver was named to the Pro Bowl after finishing the year with 103 catches for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns.
The Raiders rewarded Renfrow with a two-year, $32 million contract extension, but injuries would hamper his 2022 season, limiting him to just 10 games. Last season was supposed to be a bounceback year for Renfrow, but he had the worst year of his career to date.
It is well known that Renfrow has been on the trade block for the last year, but the Raiders weren’t able to work out a deal. But now, according to Pro Football Focus, the financials are shaping up perfectly for the Raiders to cut Renfrow outright this offseason:
This move has been percolating for some time, as Las Vegas has shopped Renfrow in trades for more than a year. With Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers as the clear one-two and the steady emergence of rookie Tre Tucker, the finances finally align with the roster decision.
By releasing Renfrow, the Raiders would save themselves $8.2 million in salary cap space, which is a nice chunk of money for someone who simply isn’t being utilized. Adams and Meyers are the top two receivers clearly, and tight end Michael Mayer’s role should only increase as well, not to mention Tre Tucker, who began showing flashes of his potential down the stretch of last season.
It has been a pretty shocking fall from grace for Renfrow who looked to be a core member of the Raiders two years ago. But there is still plenty left in the tank and a change of scenery to a team that can really use his skillset.
In actuality, a split between Renfrow and the Raiders is likely the best move for both sides at this point.
Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo suspended for first two games of next season
Someone else the Raiders are almost certain to release this offseason is quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. The franchise signed Garoppolo to a three-year deal last year but he was benched in the middle of the season. And now the Raiders could be in line to save even more money upon cutting him.
Garoppolo has been suspended for the first two games of the 2024 season due to a violation of the NFL’s Performance Enhancing Substances Policy. Because of this violation, there is a possibility that Garoppolo’s base salary guarantee for next season could be voided, which would save the Raiders more than $10 million.
