The Las Vegas Raiders have multiple avenues to explore to finding their next quarterback.
While many fans and experts are certain that the Raiders will be drafting either Miami’s Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders in April, there is enough time left on the season to keep things interesting. Draft positions are not locked in by any means, and it is still possible for the Raiders to get hot at the end of the season and play themselves out of contention for either prospect. Until the year is effectively over, the Raiders need to stay prepared for every situation.
Similar to the draft class, the free agent crop of quarterbacks is incredibly top-heavy. Out of all of the realistic options that will be up for grabs in 2025, there are only two or three bankable starters and a hodgepodge of veteran backups behind them. The market could shift if an unexpected name enters free agency but, for the moment, the choices are limited. While the extent in which the Raiders will explore these options is still up in the air due to the status of Aidan O’Connell and the team’s position in the draft, it is still a good idea to show some awareness and take at least a cursory glance at what is available.
So which free agents have a chance to be under center for the Raiders in 2025?
Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
Darnold has earned himself a massive payday in April.
Initially signed by the Vikings to serve as a bridge quarterback and mentor to 11th overall pick JJ McCarthy, the plan for Darnold changed once McCarthy suffered a season-ending meniscus tear in the team’s first preseason game against, ironically enough, the Raiders. Since then, Darnold has stabilized the Vikings offense and enjoyed a career year in the process. Darnold places in the top 10 in several key statistics, including passing yards (10th, 2,952) and touchdowns (fourth, 23). The career renaissance has opened the eyes of NFL scouts and front offices, and teams without a path to a quarterback in the draft would be willing to pay Darnold. Regarding contract demands, expect Darnold to look at a similar deal to what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave Baker Mayfield this past offseason (three years, $100 million, $50 million guaranteed). With the rising prices of quarterbacks, those numbers are reasonable for a mid-tier veteran starter like Darnold.
Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are going to be deciding between keeping Fields or Russell Wilson this offseason, but Wilson’s play this season is making that answer clear.
The decision by the Steelers was not because of Fields’ poor play, however. In six starts with the Steelers this season while Wilson was recovering from injury, Fields posted a 4-2 record and completed 65.1% of his passes for 1,106 yards and five touchdowns. He also added 281 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground. It is for that reason that the Raiders would have at least a preliminary interest in Fields. A dynamic and athletic quarterback like him provides an answer for the team in both the passing and rushing game. The only sticking point with Fields is that his ball security issues persist, fumbling six times and losing three. For a team tied for the most turnovers with the Tennessee Titans at 23, that could serve as a deal breaker for the Raiders. Still, what Fields provides fits too well with what the Raiders need this offseason, so expect general manager Tom Telesco and company to at least kick the tires.
Jacoby Brissett, New England Patriots
It has already been confirmed that part-owner Tom Brady will have a say in the quarterback situation, so any connection to the Patriots (not named Jimmy Garoppolo) will be in consideration.
Brissett’s role in the NFL is essentially decided at this stage of his career. He is a stable veteran quarterback who functions in a variety of roles, whether as a low-risk backup or a bridge starter to pave the way for a rookie. The latter was essentially the role Brissett played this season for the Patriots, starting five games before ultimately ceding the starting job to third-overall pick Drake Maye. Brissett will not wow anyone at this point, with three seasons of over 2,500 yards and double-digit touchdowns (2017 and 2019 with the Indianapolis Colts, 2022 with the Cleveland Browns) under his belt. That said, Brissett has served as a competent game manager, and his safe style of play will cut down on the turnovers, at the very least. If the Raiders emphasize stability, they could do worse than Brissett.
Mac Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
Speaking of former Patriots, the Raiders can turn their attention to the man who was once considered the heir apparent to Brady.
It seems hard to believe now, but Patriots fans were once convinced that Jones was the future of their franchise. In his rookie year in 2020, the former 15th overall pick lit the NFL up with 3,801 passing yards and 22 touchdowns, making it to the Pro Bowl and finishing second behind Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. Fast forward to three years later, and Jones has unfortunately stalled in his development. With Maye now under center for the Patriots, the team traded Jones to the Jaguars to serve as Trevor Lawrence’s backup. An injury to Lawrence, however, has allowed Jones to start twice for the Jaguars, and he is coming off his best game in Sunday’s divisional matchup against the Houston Texans, throwing for 235 yards and two touchdowns. Perhaps the performance reignites Jones’s NFL prospects, and the Raiders would be in a position to bring him aboard and see his capabilities for themselves.
Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets
While Rodgers is not a free agent yet, it is becoming clear that his stint with the Jets is coming to an end.
To be frank, a 41-year-old Rodgers certainly does not fit the Raiders’ timeline, but when has the team ever been afraid to make a splash move? Owner Mark Davis has shown he has zero qualms with stealing headlines, and the Raiders bringing Rodgers aboard would thrust the team back into the national spotlight. It is important to understand that Rodgers is far removed from his prime, and the fact that his Jets tenure has been disappointing will water down his market significantly. Still, Rodgers is playing well enough (2,627 yards, 19 touchdowns) to present the Raiders with a noticeable enough upgrade on O’Connell or Gardner Minshew. With teams uncertain about Rodgers’ playing status and not wanting to invest in a quarterback squarely in the twilight of his career, the Raiders stand out as one of the only opportunities that Rodgers has to secure a starting job for next season. If the Raiders find themselves out of options, would it be that crazy to at least ask?
