Former Eastern Illinois quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo made it official on Friday signing as a free agent with the Las Vegas Raiders. The former Walter Payton Award Panthers signal caller continues the strong connection that Eastern Illinois Panther football has with the National Football League.
Listed below are the current connections including former EIU players now playing, coaching or working in NFL front offices. In addition the list includes former EIU assistant coaches that are now working for NFL teams. On top of those NFL connections former EIU quarterback Tony Romo serves as the color analyst for CBS working with Jim Nantz on the network's top broadcast team.
Former EIU Players on NFL Teams
Jimmy Garoppolo – Las Vegas Raiders Quarterback
Kamu Grugier-Hill – was with Arizona to end 2022 season, is currently an unrestricted free agent
Former EIU Players on NFL Coaching Staffs
Sean Payton – Denver Broncos Head Coach
Tim Kelly – Tennessee Titans Offensive Coordinator
Adam Gristick – New Orleans Saints Assistant Linebackers Coach
Matt Jones – Tennessee Titans Assistant Offensive Line Coach
Stephen Bravo-Brown – Cleveland Browns Assistant Special Teams
Former EIU Players in NFL Front Office Roles
Nick Kray – Houston Texans Chief of Staff
Ryan Pace – Atlanta Falcons Senior Personnel Executive
Former EIU Assistant Coaches now in NFL Coaching Roles
Nick Caley – Los Angeles Rams Tight Ends Coach
Demarcus Covington – New England Patriots Defensive Line Coach
Matthew Smiley – Buffalo Bills Special Teams Coordinator
Bobby Babich – Buffalo Bills Linebackers Coach
Omar Young – Chicago Bears Assistant Quarterbacks & Wide Receivers Coach
Andrew Carter – Los Angeles Rams Assistant Defensive Line Coach
Clancy Barone – New Orleans Saints Tight Ends Coach
Michael Hodges – New Orleans Saints Linebackers Coach
** List is updated as of Friday, March 17 with signing of Jimmy Garoppolo. Information is based on what listed by each NFL team's site.
