The Las Vegas Raiders have quickly pivoted following the Los Angeles Rams and Quarterback Matthew Stafford agreeing to a restructured contract earlier today. Stafford heading to the Raiders had picked up steam over the last few days after he and Minority Owner Tom Brady met in Montana earlier this week. Once Stafford and the Rams agreed to remain together for the foreseeable future, the Las Vegas Raiders were left in the lurch.
NFL Insider Mike Silver reported on the heels of the Stafford news that the Raiders turned their attention toward Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Russell Wilson and Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Sam Darnold. What will the Raiders do at the quarterback position this offseason?
Las Vegas Raiders Offseason Summary
Just In: The #Raiders are considering Russell Wilson and Sam Darnold, per @MikeSilver pic.twitter.com/oakcCzqfM0
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 28, 2025
Las Vegas has been in quarterback limbo over the past few seasons. They have tried multiple bridge quarterbacks, but those attempts have been futile. Jimmy Garoppolo and Gardner Minshew were both signed to lucrative free agent contracts but could not steady the position. The team moved on from Quarterback Derek Carr during the 2022 season and is still looking for a suitable answer for the position.
It is a new day for the Las Vegas Raiders. They hired Pete Carroll as their next head coach and Brady has reportedly been heavily involved in the team’s offseason. Wilson coming to Vegas makes great sense. He and Carroll worked together for 10 years when both men were with the Seattle Seahawks. A reunion could be coming for the Super Bowl-winning duo.
Darnold will be eyeing a long-term contract this offseason after the best season of his career with the Minnesota Vikings. Unfortunately, he had his two worst games of the season in a winner-take-all Week 18 game against the Detroit Lions and the Wild Card Round against the Los Angeles Rams. That caused Darnold to lose the credibility he gained with a tremendous regular season.
Final Thoughts
The Raiders are now in scramble mode since Stafford will not be their quarterback in 2025. Either Darnold or Wilson will be great options for the team at the quarterback position. Darnold would presumably be viewed as a long-term answer. Wilson would be viewed as a short-term solution. With the N0. 6 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Vegas will presumably not be able to draft either Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward. In a quarterback-poor draft, they are the top two options at the position.
