The Las Vegas Raiders’ search for their 2025 quarterback may be reaching it’s final days.
Free agents can agree to contracts with outside NFL teams starting at Monday at 9 a.m. PT. In 2023 and 2024, the Las Vegas Raiders agreed to terms with their Week 1 starting quarterbacks on the first day players could agree.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported Friday morning that the Raiders are in on the veteran market, starting with free agents and even trade targets, including starting quarterbacks. There aren’t many current starting quarterbacks known to be available on the trade market. perhaps Geno Smith, who played for new Raiders coach Pete Carroll in Seattle, could be a target or even young Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy if Sam Darnold (a known Raiders’ free-agent target) stayed with the Vikings.
The Raiders, of course, tried to figure out a way to trade for Matthew Stafford, but that opportunity ended when the 37-year-old agreed to stay with the Los Angeles Rams.
After the Stafford pursuit was derailed, multiple reports suggested the Raiders are pivoting to free-agent targets Darnold, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Darnold could still be franchised tagged by the Minnesota Vikings before Tuesday’s deadline. Darnold wasn’t franchised.
Wilson, of course, was with new Las Vegas head coach Pete Carroll in Seattle for 10 seasons.
Wednesday, The Associated Press said a Carroll-Wilson reunion is unlikely according to a team source and also reported the team isn’t sure Aaron Rodgers is a fit for Chip Kelly’s offense.
#Raiders would be an option for Aaron Rodgers IF he could fit into offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s system. A team official told me last week the staff hasn’t made that determination yet. The source also said a reunion between Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll is unlikely.
— Rob Maaddi (@RobMaaddi) March 6, 2025
There have been several reports stating the Raiders are split on what approach to take at the position, but they may be leaning to add a free agent. In addition to Darnold, Wilson and Fields, other veteran free agents who have been connected to las Vegas include Rodgers, Zach Wilson, and Marcus Mariota.
The top prospects in the draft are Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. Las Vegas has the No. 6 overall pick in the draft. Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss had a strong performance at the NFL combine and could be a target. There was a report that the Raiders like Quinn Ewers of Texas and could try to trade up for Ward.
The Raiders, who could opt to have incumbent Aidan O’Connell compete for the job, could also consider Will Howard of Ohio State, who played under new Las Vegas offensive coordinator Chip Kelly in 2024.
Things are still muddled, but it seems like a conclusion, one way or another, could be on the horizon in Las Vegas.