As the combine draws near, the Las Vegas Raiders are searching for a true quarterback solution.
The Las Vegas Raiders have struggled to find a star quarterback in their prime since Ken Stabler’s era in the 1970s. While Rich Gannon was impressive, his peak performance came later in his career. Facing formidable quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert in their division emphasizes the need for a quarterback who can compete at their level.
The Raiders have experimented with various temporary solutions at quarterback, none of which have panned out. Despite initial hopes of Derek Carr becoming their long-term answer, it became evident that he wasn’t the solution. Acquiring Jimmy Garoppolo from the San Francisco 49ers also proved to be a short-term fix that didn’t yield desired results.
Although rookie Aidan O’Connell showed promise as a potential starter last season, he may not be the caliber of quarterback the Raiders need to challenge Mahomes and Herbert consistently.
With the 13th pick in the upcoming draft, the Raiders face the decision of selecting a quarterback who falls to them or trading up to secure their preferred choice. Interim coach Antonio Pierce, now in the full-time role, acknowledges the necessity for a long-term solution at quarterback, stressing the importance of avoiding temporary fixes.
While top prospects like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jalen Daniels may be unavailable, options such as Michigan’s JJ McCarthy, Oregon’s Bo Nix, or Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. could still be on the table at the thirteenth pick, providing potential avenues for the Raiders to address their quarterback situation.
