What next in Sin City
What next in Sin City?
As the Raiders head into their final game of the season against their AFC West rivals Kansas City, the Silver & Black sit on the verge of significant change in Las Vegas. With the naming of a new QB1 for the final two games in Jarrett Stidham and the benching of its franchise quarterback Derek Carr, it seems finally after 9 seasons partnered together the Raiders and No.4 look to be going their separate ways. So, it begs the question...what next in Sin City?
Well strap in Raider Nation because you are going to hear one name, and one name alone for what will feel like a VERY long off-season...Tom Brady.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion has obvious ties to the Raiders through Head Coach Josh McDaniels. McDaniels worked with Brady in New England as both the offensive coordinator and positions coach for well over a decade and with the NFL icon available in free agency this summer it’s a fit that would make a lot of sense. The Raiders have a plethora of talent on offense in Darren Waller, Josh Jacobs (if they can pay enough to keep him) and superstar Davante Adams who only recently stated in an interview with Hondo Carpenter that he ‘absolutely’ wants to return to the Silver & Black. If Brady can help address the offensive line struggles in Vegas and perhaps work on a deal that could make capital available to concentrate on improving the currently rated 25th best defence in the league it could be a match made in heaven, all culminating in a Super Bowl appearance in none other than their home, Allegiant Stadium in 2024.
There are other options if you want to go down the Patriot Way however. Seemingly clearly available after the emergence of their third-string superstar Brock Purdy and their injured starter Trey Lance the Raiders could look to free-agent in the offseason Jimmy Garoppolo. Another former Patriot, Jimmy G was having an impressive season in the Bay until breaking his foot against the Dolphins at the start of December and the 31 year old has playoff experience in his 6 seasons with the 49ers and a good knowledge of complex systems particularly under current San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan. The main question over Garoppolo however is his availability with the QB frequently battling injury. As they say, your best ability is your availability in the NFL.
Lastly the Raiders could opt, after testing Jarrett Stidham against the Chiefs in their final game, to make the former Patriot their new QB1. Stidham was impressive in his first career start against the NFL’s best defence in the Niners posting 365 yards and three touchdowns in the 37-34 overtime loss. He looked mobile, clearly knowledgeable of the McDaniels’ scheme that he’d been a part of for all of his three years in New England but perhaps most of all looked to really impact the game and force the ball downfield – a trait Raider Nation had become frustrated with not seeing with Derek ‘check down’ Carr. Few will face tougher tests than Stidham in his 2-game interview for QB1 as not only did he face the Niners but his final test will be a home to close out the season against none other than their biggest rivals the Kansas City Chiefs, so it will be interesting to see if he can continue that sort of quality on Saturday.
Moving away from the Patriot Way and ignoring the pipe dream of landing the hottest free agent QB in 2023 Lamar Jackson, let’s not forget the Raiders sit at 8th in the 2023 NFL Draft and could jump to 6th with results going their way. This could put GM Dave Ziegler and company in striking distance for any of the top quarterback prospects. Ohio State’s C.J Stroud is one that could be a viable option for the Silver & Black however after his recent performance in the College Football Playoff against the Georgia Bulldogs the Raiders would need to jump up to bag the talented QB. There are teams above them that might be willing to trade like the 3-13 Chicago Bears who currently sit 2nd in the 2023 draft and would likely not be looking for another Buckeyes QB after landing Justin Fields 11th overall in the 2021. So, the Raiders would need to drop a few future 1st round picks and possibly even a player such as tight end Darren Waller to have the chance to name C.J. Stroud their starting quarterback in 2023.
Whatever happens, it’s going to be a huge season of change in Las Vegas. Another roll of the dice. But as they say in Vegas, if you don’t gamble, you’ll never win.