The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback search has already been tied heavily in NFL rumors this offseason to Sam Darnold. Coming off a Pro Bowl season, the impending free-agent passer would provide Las Vegas with its best starting quarterback since Derek Carr. However, an even superior option is emerging.
Darnold is expected to command a multi-year contract in the range of $36-$40 million per season. Las Vegas has also been tied heavily to the quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, with Tom Brady particularly fond of Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders.
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There are also more experienced starters available. The New York Jets are cutting ties with Aaron Rodgers and the Atlanta Falcons are expected to do the same with Kirk Cousins, providing Las Vegas with two veteran signal-callers who could provide stability for the offense and serve as a potential one-year bridge starter before someone line Sanders would take over in 2026. Now, there’s another option to monitor.
Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal highlighted Brady’s persuasiveness as a recruiter to help the team land a veteran quarterback this offseason. The Raiders’ reporter shared that it could also have an influence on the trade market, specifically with Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.
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- Matthew Stafford stats (ESPN): 3,762 passing yards, 20-8 TD-INT, 65.8% completion rate, 7.3 ypa, 93.7 QB rating
The Rams granted Stafford’s agent permission to speak with other clubs this past week, at least opening the door to a potential trade. For now, the club’s intention is to see what other clubs are willing to offer Stafford in a multi-year extension before resuming contract negotiations with the Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
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This could be another opportunity for the Raiders to have a potential advantage. Mark Davis already made Chip Kelly the highest-paid offensive coordinator in NFL history, just one of many signs the Raiders owner is investing more in the club than ever before. Las Vegas could potentially float a lucrative contract offer to Stafford’s agent, with the hope that it’s at a price the Rams aren’t willing to match. If that happens, it could open the door to a deal where the Rams would receive the 6th overall pick while the Raiders receive Stafford and the 26th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.