Antonio Pierce, head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, “wants to be aggressive in landing a new QB,” according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo. Pierce was appointed as Josh McDaniels’ permanent replacement.
Before Aidan O’Connell took over as the starting quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo completed seven appearances with 1,205 yards, seven touchdowns, and nine interceptions. With 2,218 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in the air, O’Connell wasn’t much better.
As a unit, the Raiders ranked 28th in passer rating, 25th in completion percentage, and 22nd in touchdown passes.
Garoppolo might be leaving. While leaving Las Vegas with $15.5 million in 2024 and $12.8 million in 2025, designating him as a post-June 1 cut would save $12.1 million.
The issue facing Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco is the lacklustre quarterback market this offseason.
The two most notable free agents are Baker Mayfield and Kirk Cousins. The latter will fetch a premium considering the scarcity of choices at the position, while the former is recuperating from an Achilles tear.
Before Week 1, it is conceivable that Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals or Justin Fields of the Chicago Bears would be traded. Fields’ future as a starting quarterback is still up in the air, and Murray’s $230.5 million, five-year contract hasn’t held up too well thus far.
If the Raiders want to select a quarterback in the first round of the draft, they are also not in a good position. Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels was recruited by Pierce to Arizona State, according to an NFL Network story. However, Daniels might not be available when Las Vegas is on the clock at No. 13. And it’s definitely far too late to acquire Drake Maye of North Carolina or Caleb Williams of USC.
This is undoubtedly one way Pierce and Telesco can establish the tone early in their terms, whatever path they choose.
