The Las Vegas Raiders lack a quarterback, which is most likely one of the reasons they were unable to persuade Ben Johnson to take over as head coach. Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew are solid backups but should not be starters.
Las Vegas doesn’t have many tempting choices in free agency or the draft, so they might simply have to accept a makeshift solution. This might lead to them bringing in a seasoned quarterback to compete with Minshew and O’Connell.
According to Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, the Oakland Raiders are the best option for Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston.
“The Raiders haven’t experienced a lot of joy over the past few seasons, save for a promising but brief stretch at the end of 2023,” Knox said in a column published on Jan. 22, 2019. “For all of his flaws on the field, Winston is a tremendous locker-room presence who can help galvanize a team while filling the backup role.”
Winston’s career has been up and down since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected him first overall in 2015. He may have made the Pro Bowl as a rookie, but he hasn’t had a steady starting job since 2019. In 12 games with the Browns this season, he threw 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Winston Could Be Happy to Be Part of the Raiders’ Rebuild
As Knox mentioned, Winston has a dynamic personality that may help inject some energy into a Raiders locker room that is undergoing another head coaching transition. However, he would bring more than just that.
He has a big arm and can make a lot of plays. His disadvantage is his high turnover rate. That being said, the Raiders are in the midst of a rebuilding process that is not without risks. Knox believes Winston’s demeanor would benefit a team that is trying to sort things out.
“In Las Vegas, Winston could at least get a chance to compete, although his propensity for turnovers might not lead to many starting opportunities,” Knox said. “Those difficulties will not go away, but playmakers like Brock Bowers, Tre Tucker, and Jakobi Meyers would compliment Winston’s strong arm if he were to play.
“Winston would probably also relish the chance to be part of a Raiders’ turnaround, however his role looks.”
Winston overlapped with John Spytek.
The Raiders are now in the process of hiring Buccaneers assistant general manager John Spytek as their general manager. Spytek was not on the squad when Winston was picked, but he did play alongside the quarterback for four seasons.
He should have a good understanding of Winston and his strengths. It’s unclear whether this would help or hurt the quarterback’s chances of signing with Las Vegas. If he joins the team, it indicates that Spytek thinks highly of him.
Regardless, Winston would not be a long-term option and would most likely sign a one-year contract. The Raiders might do worse than him at quarterback, especially if they don’t have a chance to choose one early. Winston can be an effective quarterback if he can figure out how to reduce turnovers.
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