With the 53-man roster cutoff deadline mere hours away, the Las Vegas Raiders are looking where they can to fill the holes remaining on their depth chart.
In Saturday’s preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals, the Raiders found themselves in an emergency. Quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who was set to serve as Geno Smith’s backup despite a horrid preseason, suffered a wrist fracture that will keep him out for an extended period of time to begin the season. With only sixth-round rookie Cam Miller behind Smith, the Raiders now are looking into options to try and keep the depth strong.
As a result, analysts have tried to put together a solution that would satisfy the Raiders’ need.
Any and all veteran quarterbacks are considered on the table for the Raiders.
In a list of trade proposals before the cutoff deadline, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell pitched the Raiders trading for Buffalo Bills veteran quarterback Mike White. The proposal has White and a 2026 seventh-round pick heading to Las Vegas in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick.
“With Josh Allen riding a league-high stretch of 105 consecutive starts into the regular season, the Bills are going as far as he will take them. They brought back Mitch Trubisky to serve as their No. 2 option, so while they could carry White as the No. 3, they might prefer two passers and use that roster spot elsewhere,” Barnwell wrote.
The Raiders have admitted that they would prefer a veteran, and White fits the bill. However, White has only appeared in 15 games despite being in the NFL since 2018. He also has thrown nine touchdowns compared to 15 interceptions, so this would be more of a move to make for an easy cut once O’Connell comes back.
What if the Raiders go further outside of the box?
In the event the Raiders choose to wait past the deadline to see which options fall to them, the Las Vegas Review-Journal mentioned the possibility of former Tennessee Titans quarterback and current free agent Ryan Tannehill.
.@Raiders coach Pete Carroll said the club will seek to aquire a veteran QB with playing experience to fill O’Connell’s role. They will look at all markets.
(Ryan Tannehill could be a possibility)
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) August 24, 2025
The 37-year-old Tannehill would certainly be an option, but it is important to note that he has not played a snap since being allowed to walk in free agency in 2023.
However, that has not stopped the Raiders from taking gambles on players. Linebackers Jamal Adams and Jaylon Smith have not seen much playing time in the past season or so, but the Raiders brought them on anyway. Adams, in particular, has been a bright spot for the Raiders this preseason, and likely earned a place on the 53-man roster for his efforts.
If the Raiders think they can recreate similar magic with Tannehill, it might not be a bad idea to give him the phone call he has been waiting years for.
