The Raiders have a big decision coming on their next quarterback and there are a lot of different directions they could go with the decision.
The assumption has been that the Raiders will take a quarterback early in the draft, but there’s a chance they won’t have a high enough draft pick high to get Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward.
If the Raiders think they might get stymied at quarterback in the draft, they can look into free agency, but there aren’t many exciting names in this year’s free agent class.
Sam Darnold is on course to be the top free agent quarterback on the market, but there’s a chance even he won’t be an option.
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Vikings are going to try to bring Darnold back next year, possibly with the use of the franchise tag.
“The [Vikings] spent a first-round pick on J.J. McCarthy last spring and Darnold is in for a big payday in March. Despite that, after conversations with a team source, one thing is clear: The Vikings want Darnold back in Minnesota for 2025,” Russini reported on Saturday.
“While the original plan was for McCarthy to slowly develop into the starting quarterback while Darnold was there to hold the rookie’s place, McCarthy’s injury changed things,” Russini continued. “Now, the Vikings have a problem — Darnold has been almost too good (not in a bad way, but in a “this is now complicated” way). McCarthy hasn’t played since August, and realistically he won’t be fully in the mix until spring at the earliest.”
Considering the success the Vikings are having with Darnold, some have speculated that they might be willing to commit to him beyond next season.
If that were to happen, is there a chance the Vikings could be enticed to trade J.J. McCarthy?
According to YouTube host Mitchell Renz, the Raiders will sniff around a trade for McCarthy if they don’t think they will be able to get an elite quarterback in this year’s draft.
“I was told that if the Raiders win a game or two to keep an eye on J.J.,” Renz said this week on the Raiders Report. “I’m telling you right now the J.J. McCarthy rumors are going to start.”
Renz proposed the idea of the Raiders sending the no. 6 pick in this year’s draft to Minnesota for McCarthy, but there’s a chance the cost would be even more than that.
It’s all speculation at this point, but the Raiders are definitely moving in the direction of a complicated offseason. Before they can do anything at the quarterback position, they need to make a decision on their head coach and many believe Antonio Pierce is in his final days in Silver & Black.
The aforementioned Russini commented on Pierce’s job status earlier in the week.
“What I’ve learned recently is it’s not just going to be Tom Brady’s thoughts on the quarterback position, which would make sense, right?” Russini said on the Scoop City podcast. “But really how involved Tom Brady is going to be in all regards in everything that has to do with the Las Vegas Raiders.”
“Look, [if] you’re Mark Davis. You’re frustrated. You haven’t been able to get this thing right in a long time. So they’re going to have to make a decision about their head coach with Antonio Pierce. I’ve talked to people around the league who believe that this is probably going to be it for [Pierce]… but I think Tom Brady is going to have a big hand in helping Mark Davis navigate the next steps here.”
For what it’s worth, Brady is a University of Michigan guy and it happens to be that J.J. McCarthy is, as well.
x: @raidersbeat
@Matt SDP1 was the first talk about the appeal of JJ coming to LV. I love it.
But sending them what they need more than a draft pick. A proven edge/rush specialist. Maxx. But that should cost them a 3rd and 4th round pick as well. I sincerely hope this rumor combusts into reality.
Ward or Milroe will work. A dual threat qb to stay in tune with the AFC west.
AOC is better than both of them.
Dumb trade
Sanders fan? Ward fan? Neither are first round talent. Both are projects. And you want to keep a gut around that doesn’t want to be here? The entire defense is more effective without him.
C’mon Julianne. Can you produce any response that shows you have clue?
He’s right. It’s a dumb trade. One of the best players in the NFL for an unproven QB. Especially when you can put the ball in Minnesota’s court. If they give Darnold the payday he can command then why keep JJ and make an expensive QB drama? We might be able to get JJ for a 2nd. Look at what Arizona got for their first round QB a few years back. (UCLA QB who’s name escapes me right now)
Keep a guy that’s awesome that doesn’t want to be there. Who’s obviously a lone wolf. The unit performs better without him. (Proven in the last game or not)
You probably thought the Mack trade was a bad idea too? If so, you earned negative creds and exposed yourself as a fanboy without a clue
WOW, ANOTHER LOSING SEASON IF THE RAIDERS GET J. J.!
WHEN WILL THIS ORGANIZATION GET IT TOGETHER???
Clueless. The lot of you.