The Las Vegas Raiders were in the market for a quarterback with acute desperation, and their part-owner, Tom Brady, was heavily linked with a move for the Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford. The Raiders are now back in limbo, however, after Stafford chose to remain with the Rams and is officially tabled.
Meanwhile, one NFL analyst believes that Stafford’s saga is unlikely to hurt the Raiders’ chances of becoming a playoff team next season — but finding a starting QB still remains the priority.
NFL Analyst Predicts Raiders Will Be a Playoff Team Next Season
Las Vegas has been unstable at the quarterback position since releasing Derek Carr in February 2023. During his time with the Raiders, Carr was as consistent as they come. He missed only four starts in his nine seasons with the franchise and threw for at least 3,200 yards in each of them.
After a failed stint with Jimmy Garoppolo, Aidan O’Connell took over midway through 2023 and put up respectable numbers, outperforming his predecessor in almost every statistical category.
Last year, the Raiders turned to free agent Gardner Minshew II to compete with O’Connell for the starting job after a standout 2023 season. Minshew won the Raiders’ starting job to begin the 2024 season but was benched and missed the remaining six games due to a broken collarbone.
Even if both players are healthy, Vegas needs a new face as the starting QB. But with Stafford off the board, what are the chances they land a good player?
NFL analyst Lindsay Rhodes is optimistic about the Raiders and boldly predicts that under head coach Pete Carroll, they will be a playoff team next season.
“I’m optimistic about the… Raiders. They didn’t get Stafford, but I’m on record as being optimistic prior to that attempt.”
“They have a proven commodity at coach who, while likely a bridge, will stabilize the organization. They have the 3rd most draft capital and the 2nd most cap space. They have lots of expiring contracts on D. Carroll can build the unit in his image. I don’t think they’re far on offense. Add a WR (power slot? ), add a RB. Add a QB… . (See #9) I can see them fighting for a playoff spot next year.”
8. I'm optimistic about the… Raiders.
They didn't get Stafford, but I'm on record as being optimistic prior to that attempt.
They have a proven commodity at coach who, while likely a bridge, will stabilize the organization.
They have the 3rd most draft capital and the 2nd…
— Lindsay Rhodes (@lindsay_rhodes) March 1, 2025
The Raiders’ offense was deemed one of the worst in the NFL by PFSN, according to its Offense+ metric. Arguably, the only reason they weren’t dead last is because of tight end Brock Bowers.
It’s clear that the Raiders need serious help at numerous key positions. None may be more important than quarterback and running back, though, and they do have the draft capital and cap space to fill both these requirements either via trade, draft, or free agency.
Las Vegas’ leading rusher last season, Alexander Mattison, recorded an abysmal 420 yards. Ameer Abdullah, Sincere McCormick, and Zamir White followed him in that order. While McCormick and White only played in a combined 13 games, their potential as RB1 appears minimal.
As a result, PFSN predicts that Las Vegas will look to add free agent RB Najee Harris, who has rushed for 1,000+ yards in four straight seasons. In PFSN’s free agent predictions, Ben Rolfe writes:
“Najee Harris stands out as a potential target at running back. While not an exciting option, he is a durable option with a proven history as both a runner and a receiver. Harris has topped 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first four seasons and has a 74-catch season on his résumé. If Pete Carroll wants the next version of Marshawn Lynch for this team, Harris could be that player.”
Rolfe also suggests the Raiders may also be in the market for the following free agents: Darius Slayton, Jarran Reed, Dante Fowler Jr., Zack Baun, Bobby Wagner, and Julian Blackmon.
Can Brady get these players or others to seriously consider the Raiders after a four-win season?
It’s worth noting that Brady was a fantastic recruiter throughout his stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, helping get players such as Leonard Fournette, Rob Gronkowski, and Antonio Brown to join the team (while also encouraging numerous players to re-sign with Tampa Bay, including some on team-friendly deals).
Many of these players wanted to play alongside the GOAT, so it will be interesting to see if his recruiting efforts are as effective when he’s simply a minority owner and not under center.