The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback of the future doesn’t appear to be on their active roster.
In Sunday’s 29-19 loss to the Denver Broncos, Raiders starting QB Gardner Minshew suffered a season-ending broken collarbone. The sixth-year veteran went 2-7 in nine starts, throwing more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (nine) in 10 games.
Per NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell — who recently recovered from a broken right thumb — is slated to start Friday’s road game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Desmond Ridder is expected to be the backup.
With six games remaining, O’Connell could show why he should be the team’s QB1 in 2025 but don’t expect that to happen.
In two seasons with the Raiders, the former fourth-round pick has a 5-7 starting record and has posted a below-average 82.4 passer rating in 15 games.
On Monday, Fox Sports Jordan Schultz reported the Raiders recently courted former New York Giants QB Daniel Jones, but he rejected them and wants to play for a playoff contender.
The Raiders may not attract other free-agent QBs. Vegas fired offensive coordinator Luke Getsy after Week 9, and head coach Antonio Pierce’s future seems uncertain.
With that in mind, Vegas should target QBs in the 2025 NFL Draft class, perhaps Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders or Miami’s Cam Ward. In his latest mock draft, The 33rd Team’s Kyle Crabbs has the Raiders taking Sanders — tied for the FBS’ second-most TD passes (30 in 11 games) — with pick No. 3.
“Sanders has great field vision and touch, which could help expand the Raiders passing attack beyond rookie phenom [tight end] Brock Bowers in the years ahead,” wrote Crabbs.
In October, Raiders owner Mark Davis and Sanders chatted at a Las Vegas Aces playoff game. Of course, that doesn’t mean Vegas will draft the Colorado star, but it’s noteworthy.
The conversation could signal Davis is considering adding another QB and wants to become acquainted with some of the top prospects.
