The Raiders don’t currently have a quarterback after releasing their all-time leading passer, Derek Carr. They will now need to look for options to acquire one as their starter.
Here are a few strategies that the team will consider:
- Sign a free agent quarterback – Their top options would be: Lamar Jackson (Likely to be tagged), Geno Smith, Daniel Jones (likely to be tagged), Jimmy Garoppolo, Teddy Bridgewater, Jacoby Brissett, Carson Wentz (likely to be released), Andy Dalton, Gardner Minshew, Taylor Heinike, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Cooper Rush and Mason Rudolph.
- Trade for a quarterback – There are several veteran options that might be traded this offseaosn, in the same way Russell Wilson was traded to their AFC West Rival, Denver Broncos.
First name on the block is Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, as reports continue to indicate that the team is ready to move on from the veteran single-caller.
The second name is Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, who has a previous relationship with Raiders coach Josh McDaniels, having worked with Mac when he was a rookie in 2021.
Other names include Lamar Jackson and Daniel Jones if they are indeed tagged. - Draft a quarterback: The team could look to the NFL Draft to select a quarterback who they believe has the potential to become a franchise quarterback. However, this can be a risky strategy as it can take time for a young quarterback to develop into a starter.
- Develop an existing quarterback: If the team views Jarrett Stidham, a backup quarterback in 2022, as a long-term fix worth developing, they could choose to re-sign Stidham, who has potential. They could invest their time in his development by providing coaching, training, and playing time.
Ultimately, the strategy the Raiders chooses will depend on a variety of factors, such as the team’s current roster, the strength of the upcoming draft class, and the team’s overall goals for the season.
Here is the top option for the Raiders this offseason: Jimmy Garoppolo
This is the easiest, most straight-forward path to finding their starting quarterback for next season.
Garoppolo is a pending free-agent, which means the Raiders don’t need to give up any draft picks to acquire him. The 49ers already said there is no scenario in which Jimmy will be brought back for another season, meaning there’s one less team competing with the Raiders for his services.
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Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels coached Garoppolo while they were both on the Patriots from 2014 to 2017, so he has the inside edge to convince Jimmy to sign with him over the other teams who are also looking at him as a free-agent.
This is what the Raiders will get with Garoppolo:
- Proven NFL experience: Garoppolo has been a starting quarterback in the NFL for several years and has led his team to the Super Bowl. He has also played in big games and has shown that he can perform well under pressure.
- Strong leadership skills: Garoppolo is known for being a strong leader in the locker room and on the field. He has been praised for his work ethic and his ability to rally his teammates.
- Efficient passer: Garoppolo is a accurate and efficient passer, with a career completion percentage of over 67.6%. He is also capable of making quick decisions and getting rid of the ball quickly, which can be a valuable asset in certain offensive schemes.
- Potential for improvement: Garoppolo is still a relatively young for quarterback, at age 31. Considering we’ve already seen someone like Tom Brady playing at an MVP level into his mid-40s. Garoppolo still has the potential to continue improving his skills and performance on the field. The Raiders signing him could potentially benefit from his continued development as a player because he’ll be coached by McDaniels.
- A lot to prove: Garoppolo has been injury-prone throughout his career and has been labeled as such in the eyes of both fans and the media. He wants to shake off that label.
In addition, given the recent success of Brock Purdy, people started to question Garoppolo’s impact in the 49ers offense and the stats he accumulated. Considering a rookie 7th round pick played as well or better than Jimmy G ever did in Kyle Shanahan’s system.
Jimmy probably wants to prove he can go somewhere else have have similar success in a different team and offensive system.
