With free agency on the horizon and the Draft Combine starting later this week, the Las Vegas Raiders’ quarterback search is kicking into overdrive.
The Raiders face an overwhelming abundance of options to address the position. Complete with former Super Bowl champions, high-upside reclamation projects and hotshot rookies, the Raiders now have to sift through all of them. If they choose correctly, the team can finally have an answer under center, something they lacked since releasing Derek Carr in 2023.
Recently, rumors are swirling around Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford potentially being on the trade market, and an insider immediately placed the Raiders as one of the interested teams.
Do the Raiders have a real shot at acquiring Stafford this off-season?
When discussing the matter of Stafford’s situation, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer mentioned that all the major players in this season’s quarterback carousel are monitoring it closely, including the Raiders.
“The teams you’d suspect would have their hat in the ring have, indeed, thrown their hats in the ring,” wrote Breer. “The New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Las Vegas Raiders and others have shown interest.”
The Rams have already given permission to Stafford and his agent to speak with other teams in order to gauge trade interest. While the door has not completely closed on at least an agreement, if not an outright extension, the Rams’ handling of the situation is quite odd. If a team like the Raiders expresses serious interest in what Stafford brings to the table, they could easily put together a package of picks to bring the 37-year-old in.
What makes the Raiders interesting in this bidding war is how the two teams appear to have different philosophies.
The Rams are embracing a youth movement, replacing established superstars like former defensive tackle Aaron Donald and wide receiver Cooper Kupp by drafting and developing talent. Meanwhile, the Raiders hope to get a quick turnaround in head coach Pete Carroll’s first season with the team. A trade that sends Stafford from Los Angeles to Las Vegas fits both of those agendas, giving the Raiders immediate legitimacy while allowing the Rams to continue allocating resources at other positions.
Stafford was not considered an option early on for the Raiders in 2025, but he fits with what the team wants to do this upcoming season.
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