One of many greatest questions for the Las Vegas Raiders heading into the NFL offseason surrounded the quarterback place and the staff’s intentions shifting ahead. Though Aidan O’Connell performed fairly effectively contemplating the scenario he was thrust into, the Raiders need to win and win now, so an improve is required.
That mentioned, the staff has been rumored to be contemplating a number of totally different choices, together with buying and selling up within the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft to usher in Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels or one other proficient rookie like J.J. McCarthy from the College of Michigan. Buying and selling for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields is another choice the staff was rumored to discover.
Nevertheless, it seems the staff will likely be going the veteran route in the interim, with the Raiders reportedly agreeing to phrases with Professional Bowler Gardner Minshew on a two-year deal, in accordance with Tom Pelissero of NFL Community.
The veteran quarterback is signing a two-year, $25 million take care of the Las Vegas Raiders, NFL Community Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Monday. Minshew’s new contract contains $15 million in totally assured cash, per Pelissero.
Though Minshew isn’t precisely a game-changer for the Raiders, as he will likely be anticipated to switch Jimmy Garoppolo when he’s in the end launched, he nonetheless brings a certain quantity of stability to the place. Minshew is coming off considered one of his greatest seasons on the skilled degree, as he led the Colts to a 7-6 document after taking on because the starter as a consequence of accidents.
Within the 17 video games he did play for the Colts in 2023, Minshew threw for a career-high 3,305 yards, 15 touchdowns and 9 interceptions whereas additionally dashing for 100 yards and three touchdowns on the bottom.
These stats gained’t blow anybody away, however they had been sufficient to earn him his first Professional Bowl nod whereas additionally impressing the Raiders brass sufficient to signal him throughout this free-agency interval.
The actual query now will likely be what are the staff’s intentions heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, as there’s been numerous hypothesis in regards to the staff buying and selling up for a quarterback. Las Vegas may attempt to go that route or persist with Minshew for no less than a 12 months whereas having O’Connell be taught behind the Professional Bowler for a season.
Raiders Signal DT Christian Wilkins to Profitable Lengthy-Time period Deal
The Raiders’ greatest splash in free company to this point has been touchdown former Miami Dolphins defensive sort out Christian Wilkins on a long-term deal. This drastically improves an already proficient line of defense led by star defensive finish Maxx Crosby.
It’ll be fascinating to see what different strikes new common supervisor Tom Telesco could have as free company continues.
