Raiders Updates: Raiders staring quarterback…

The main decision in the Las Vegas Raiders’ hiring of a new head coach and general manager is simple: Franchise quarterback.

The NFL is a quarterback-driven league, and unfortunately for the Silver and Black, the QB room has been unimpressive this season, so instead of driving, the squad is stuck in neutral, with a tendency to reverse at times.

Things began well, with then-general manager Tom Telesco signing veteran free agent Gardner Minshew II to a two-year $25 million contract ($15 million guaranteed at signing), foregoing a quarterback prospect in any round of the 2024 NFL draft, and then-head coach Antonio Pierce deciding to start Minshew after a tepid competition with second-year signal caller Aidan O’Connell. Ineffectiveness, injuries, and stays on injured reserve shook the room, prompting the addition of Desmon Ridder from the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad.

The Raiders’ signal caller dilemma quickly became entertaining and scary.
Minshew finished 2-7 in the nine games she started for Las Vegas this season, throwing ten interceptions to nine touchdowns. He completed 203-of-306 (66.3 percent) for 2,013 yards, was sacked 29 times, and fumbled six passes.

In his seven starts, O’Connell threw eight touchdowns and four interceptions, finishing 2-5. He went 154-for-243 (63.4 percent) for 1,612 yards, was sacked ten times, and fumbled twice.

Ridder lost his only start and threw two touchdowns and an interception. He completed 52 of 85 passes for 458 yards, was sacked ten times, and fumbled three.

Thus, it is reasonable to wonder if the starting quarterback in 2025 is even on the roster.
The ragtag Raiders could look very different depending on who the organization picks as its new head coach and general manager. And if Las Vegas hires a strong offensive mind as head coach, such as Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, the quarterback situation will improve significantly.

That type of play-calling head coach should be teamed with a general manager that shares his or her views but can also stand firm in their own when necessary.

Because that duo will not only decide the futures of the three players described above, but will also use draft money or cap space to sign a good prospect or a seasoned alternative during free agency in March.

Minshew deserves a thorough examination from a fiscal standpoint. The 28-year-old’s base pay for next season is $11.84 million, plus bonuses and guaranteed compensation, for a cap total of $14 million. If Las Vegas cut the quarterback with a post-June 1 designation, the Raiders would incur $4.66 million in dead cap space while saving $9.34 million. Minshew does not have the arm strength to throw long, and his scrambling abilities and pocket awareness were lacking.

In contrast, O’Connell appears to be more of a bridge quarterback than a franchise player. The 26-year-old makes rapid decisions and possesses an accurate arm with average strength. And he isn’t particularly quick on his feet. However, it would be interesting to see how O’Connell performs under the tutelage of a play caller of Johnson’s quality.
Ridder, on the other hand, is a restricted free agent after being signed, and Las Vegas can use a first-round, second-round, or original-round tender to either re-sign the quarterback or obtain compensation from another team that signs him to an offer sheet. (Ridder would most likely return to Las Vegas even if a tender was issued).

The Raiders’ decision-making duo could decide that O’Connell is a realistic alternative while adding a quarterback in the NFL Draft. The team could also add a free agent, as the market sees Sam Darnold heading a group that includes Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, and veterans Jacoby Brissett and Marcus Mariota. The second alternative is to trade for one, which explains the open-ended nature of the quarterback problem.

Las Vegas does hold the sixth pick in the April draft, as well as seven other picks, two of which are in the third round. The team could perhaps package a player or draft selection (or both) to move up in order to grab a prospect, or they might wait and see if one falls to them at number six. If neither of these scenarios occurs, decision-makers should not be discouraged from looking to add a potential later in the selection.