The Las Vegas Raiders’ quarterback position is easily the biggest and most consequential storyline for the franchise this season.
The Raiders have struggled significantly in finding a franchise quarterback since the departure of Derek Carr in 2023. Failure to accomplish this goal last season lead to the firings of head coach Antonio Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco days after its conclusion. Needless to say, the position will be a point of emphasis for new head coach Peter Carroll and general manager John Spytek.
Finding a solution is much easier said than done, however.
After the failures of Jimmy Garoppolo and Gardner Minshew to stabilize the position, Raiders fans have reason to be wary of the ‘high-floor’ veteran free agent. With the sixth overall pick, the Raiders also find themselves outside the range for top quarterback prospects in the draft such as Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. As such, the team finds themselves without an obvious solution.
The Raiders will monitor every possible option, and the latest name to enter the discussion is Sam Darnold.
NFL executives are predicting the Raiders will land Darnold in free agency
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, several NFL executives are under the impression that the Raiders will ultimately sign Darnold.
“Multiple league execs have predicted that Sam Darnold is a viable option, given Las Vegas is picking outside of the top five in the draft,” Fowler reported. “Others believe the Raiders will draft a QB high. And heck, [Pete] Carroll’s old friend Russell Wilson is available. But every option should be exhausted here.”
Darnold’s career has been an odyssey so far. Drafted by the New York Jets third overall in 2018, he struggled to find his footing in the NFL with them and the Carolina Panthers. In 2024, however, Darnold finally caught fire with the Minnesota Vikings, earning new career-high marks with 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns.
While Darnold is one of many options available for the Raiders this season at quarterback, the team could do far worse than signing the top free agent on the market.
