The Las Vegas Raiders are one of the major players in the quarterback market this offseason.
Gardner Minshew struggled in what is likely his lone season with the Raiders, and Aidan O’Connell did not move the needle consistently enough. The team has taken numerous paths to find their franchise quarterback since releasing Derek Carr in 2023, but nothing has worked so far. Until the Raiders have a solution under center, they will continue to be an afterthought in the NFL.
The Raiders are exploring every possible option in free agency, the draft and via trade. Recently, however, a new possibility has opened up: Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on The Rich Eisen Show, the Rams gave the former two-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion permission to speak with other teams about a possible trade.
???? @TomPelissero
Could Matthew Stafford really end up playing somewhere other than Los Angeles in 2025? When might a decision be made on his #NFL home?#NFLCombine #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/T4KFvFZHbN
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) February 21, 2025
A rebuilding effort might not be of much interest to the 37-year-old veteran, but the Raiders have an ace up their sleeve that give them a key advantage.
The presence of Tom Brady stands as a potential X-factor if the Raiders choose to pursue Stafford.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore, Brady’s position as minority owner of the Raiders gives him the opportunity to go on a recruitment drive for interested players, including Stafford.
Something to keep an eye on, per sources: the persuasiveness of Tom Brady as a recruiter for the @Raiders. It will make things interesting during free agency. And maybe even in the trade market. It’s why you can’t rule out Matthew Stafford as an option.
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) February 23, 2025
Since officially joining the Raiders in October, Brady has had zero issue pulling his weight in helping the franchise get back on its feet. Although his pursuit of former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was derailed by the Chicago Bears, Brady played a serious role in securing both head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek. At their introductory press conference in January, both sang the praises of the organization for bringing in Brady and giving him a pivotal role in personnel decisions.
With little guaranteed money remaining on his deal, Stafford is in a position to be the latest high-profile target Brady attempts to coax into joining the Raiders.
Where the Raiders will have to exercise caution is in terms of hammering out a deal with the Rams. Bonsignore added that the Rams will want a package centering around a first-round pick to move on from Stafford. However, interested teams such as the Raiders are more likely to offer a second-round pick plus more.
Per source: Compensation will be affected by the amount of $ new team is giving on a new contract. But @RamsNFL would want 1+
Interested teams would try to keep it to 2+ https://t.co/dl5LEhc9Ix
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) February 23, 2025
If Brady can convince Stafford to help the Raiders, it would go a long way towards cementing the future Hall of Famer’s influence not only within the organization, but around the league.
League believes Raiders interested in trading for young quarterback according to insider
