The Las Vegas Raiders must address the quarterback position this offseason, as Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew were underwhelming in 2024, and the franchise has a new regime ready to compete for a playoff spot in 2025.
The Raiders could look to address the need in April’s draft, but Sporting News’ Teddy Ricketson proposes a trade that would send Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford to Las Vegas.
“Carroll could utilize Stafford for a season or two to try to get Las Vegas competing in the AFC West again. The better plan is likely for the Raiders to focus on a rebuild, which starts with the team having the No. 6 overall pick in the NFL draft. Stafford could be used to allow a rookie to sit for a season, especially with the little amount of guaranteed money left on his contract, letting the Raiders move on from him after the 2025 season. The veteran also allows them to use the No. 6 pick to address other team needs this season, if they so choose,” Ricketson wrote.
Stafford’s future with the Rams is incredibly uncertain, as both sides must agree to a new deal to ensure the veteran will return to the team in 2025. Stafford still has a few years left on his contract, but not much money is guaranteed moving forward.
Though the hope remains that the former Georgia standout will be in Los Angeles next season, the franchise has given the two-time Pro Bowler permission to speak with other teams. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported on Monday that the Raiders are among the four teams showing interest in the star signal-caller.
Las Vegas would be foolish not to pursue a trade for the Super Bowl-winning quarterback, as Stafford is still one of the most dynamic pocket passers in football and would elevate a Raiders’ offense that has some exciting talent, including wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers.
Additionally, Las Vegas has the draft capital to pull off a trade for Stafford and the cap space to sign him to a new deal. NFL Network’s Peter Schrager reported that the former No.1 pick wants to be paid more than $50 million annually on a new contract. The Raiders are projected to have $99 million in cap room, per Over the Cap.
General manager John Spytek should look to massively upgrade the sport’s most vital position this offseason. Though Stafford is getting older and will be expensive to acquire, Las Vegas has the resources to make it happen, and the 37-year-old would catapult the Raiders into playoff contention.
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