The Las Vegas Raiders clearly did not need to wait till free company to enhance their quarterback scenario, as they closely pursued Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams earlier than these sides agreed to a reworked contract for the 2025 season.
On Friday, NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that the Raiders “are exploring veteran quarterback choices on the free agent and commerce market” after they missed out on Stafford.
“That features the potential for buying and selling for a present beginning QB,” Russini added.
Shortly after Russini supplied her replace, some understandably linked the Raiders with Geno Smith of the Seattle Seahawks. Smith was previously mentioned as a possible choice for Las Vegas, as he’s about to enter the ultimate yr of the three-year contract that was signed in March 2023. Seahawks common supervisor John Schneider would not appear to be in any hurry to present Smith an extension, and the 34-year-old performed beneath new Raiders head coach Pete Carroll from 2019-2023 when Carroll was Seattle’s coach.
The Raiders “exploring” the commerce marketplace for a QB1 could point out they are unwilling to get right into a bidding conflict for present Minnesota Vikings starter Sam Darnold when the free-agent negotiating window opens this Monday. Darnold reportedly might obtain a three-year deal price $115M-$125M with between $55M to $85M in assured cash if he hits the open market. Smith seemingly will not get that sort of assured money from any membership this offseason.
Russini’s report additionally suggests the Raiders don’t view Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson as a “plan A.” Pittsburgh seems ready to let Wilson attain free company when the brand new league yr begins on Wednesday, and he presumably can be cheaper than each Darnold and Smith.
Wilson performed beneath Carroll from 2012-21, and the two reportedly have “mended fences” after Wilson and the Seahawks went by a breakup that resulted in Seattle buying and selling him to the Denver Broncos in March 2022.
For a bit printed Friday morning, Raiders reporters Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed of The Athletic predicted that the membership might transfer down from the No. 6 decide of the 2025 NFL Draft to selection No. 13 as a way to seize Shedeur Sanders. Some groups allegedly no longer have a first-round grade on the Colorado signal-caller, however it’s unclear how Smith would possibly really feel about being requested to mentor who remains to be seen by many because the second-best quarterback of his draft class behind solely Miami’s Cam Ward.
