Insider Says Raiders are “Lukewarm” on Sam Darnold and QBs at the Top of the Draft

With Matthew Stafford officially returning to the Los Angeles Rams, the Raiders are back to the starting line at quarterback and there’s no clear frontrunner to be their quarterback in 2025.

Sam Darnold may be out there as a free agent and there are a few quarterbacks to consider at the top of the draft, but based on a recent report from The Athletic’s Vic Tafur, the Raiders aren’t particularly high on a lot of the popular options on the table.

“If the Raiders don’t land Stafford, it’s unlikely that they’ll make a large financial commitment to another veteran quarterback who’s expected to be available this offseason, according to league sources,” The Athletic’s Vic Tafur reported on Monday. “Las Vegas has three quarterbacks on its roster — Aidan O’Connell, Gardner Minshew and Carter Bradley — but none of them have proven themselves to be a viable starter. Minshew will likely be released this offseason, so they’ll still need to make some sort of addition to the room.”

On his X account, Tafur was even more specific, and he even mentioned Darnold as a quarterback the Raiders have “lukewarm” feelings about.

“One reason Raiders are pushing for Stafford is they’re lukewarm on Sam Darnold, the other free agents and top of draft class,” Tafur posted on Thursday.

That sentiment on Darnold contradicts what ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported earlier in the month on the Raiders interest in Darnold, but considering the way the Raiders went after Stafford, it would make sense that they aren’t overly infatuated with Darnold.

The bigger news, though, might be Tafur’s comments on the upcoming draft class at quarterback.

Vic Tafur on X (formerly Twitter): “Two of the things I heard the most this week are teams are worried about Shedeur Sanders’ baggage and were really impressed with Jalen Milroe’s interviews. Milroe on his goals this week: pic.twitter.com/UrtcpblDc9 / X”

Two of the things I heard the most this week are teams are worried about Shedeur Sanders’ baggage and were really impressed with Jalen Milroe’s interviews. Milroe on his goals this week: pic.twitter.com/UrtcpblDc9

It seemed unfathomable a few months ago, but if Shedeur Sanders is on the board when the Raiders are on the clock at pick 6, is there a chance they might pass on him?

It seems more than ever like that could happen.

And if Tom Brady and company aren’t going to sign Darnold, they don’t want Sanders, and they aren’t impressed with the quarterbacks at the top of the draft… who exactly is going to be the quarterback in Las Vegas next year?

Sports Illustrated insider Hondo Carpenter has talked about another trade possibility outside of Matthew Stafford, but he hasn’t mentioned a name.

Wonder who that could be?

x: @raidersbeat