Who should replace Derek Carr? I’m spitballing a few ideas.
#5 Andy Dalton New Orleans Saints
While some might not see the appeal of Andy Dalton in Las Vegas, his veteran presence and stat records could be a good fit. This could also allow the Raiders to make Dalton a stopgap until another QB becomes available. Either way, he would be a serviceable addition, if some of their other prospects fall through.
Dalton threw for 2871 yards, 18 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 2023, which put him at 6-8 as a starter. Of course, those aren’t the greatest numbers, but when you consider the quarterbacks available in free agency, it could be worth it.
#4 Daniel Jones New York Giants
Danie Jones is a dark horse pick, but his stats and upside are not something to ignore. The quarterback threw for 3205 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 16 games during the 2022 season. This performance was good enough to net him a 9-6-1 record as a starter, which is miles better than Derek Carr.
This will all come down to whether Jones becomes a free agent or not, but it isn’t out of the question.
Related: 5 best places to watch Las Vegas sports!
#3 Jimmy Garoppolo San Francisco 49ers
Jimmy Garoppolo is probably going to be one of the more controversial picks on this list. This is for two important reasons. The first is Garoppolo has had a very up-and-down career, making it difficult to believe he can be the guy in Las Vegas. The second reason has to do with his connection with Josh McDaniels.
McDaniels will likely pitch hard to bring Grappolo to Las Vegas so he can develop him. The only problem is that the quarterback has been backed up by one of the best defenses in the league throughout his career, leading to a good portion of his success. Grappolo also has some issues with turnovers and fumbles, creating a possible repeat of the Derek Carr issue.
The running game also plays a role in Garoppolo’s success, which is going to mean a reliance on Joshua Jacobs. This is something that Jacobs should have no problem with but the defense needs to pull its weight.
#2 Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens
The Las Vegas Raiders would no doubt be taking a gamble by bringing in Lamar Jackson, but it could be worth it. Jackson put up an 8-4 record before an injury sidelined him for the rest of the season and threw for 2,242 yards. He also rushed for over 700 yards and three touchdowns.
While these aren’t the most stellar stats on this list, he is someone that could bring a more run-focused offense to Las Vegas. Between his throwing arm and his running abilities, it would really give the team a lot of options. Jackson can also revive his career in Sin City with receivers like Darren Waller and Davantae Adams at his side.
#1 Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers is a best-case scenario for the Las Vegas Raiders and the move does make sense. Not only is that evident by how it reunites Rodgers with Davantae Adams, but it also brings in a Super Bowl-caliber quarterback. The Raiders could even manage a playoff run with Rodgers.
This move also forces head coach, Josh McDaniels, to meet in the middle with the Raiders’ front office. He might want Jimmy Grappollo due to their history, but he doesn’t have that level of support anymore.
Next: Biggest scandals in Las Vegas sports history
