Las Vegas Raiders‘ pursuit of a new quarterback has taken an unexpected turn after Matthew Stafford signed a revised contract with Los Angeles Rams. This ended speculation about a possible trade. The Raiders, who were aggressively pursuing Stafford for their quarterback needs this season, must look at other options.
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The Raiders’ focus is expected to now be on veteran quarterbacks like Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. The Raiders’ strategic shift suggests that they are more interested in a veteran quarterback than a young one. This could mean that Shedeur Sander is not a possibility for the team.
According to sources, with Matthew Stafford staying at the Rams’ side, the Las Vegas Raiders will now be expected investigate veteran quarterbacks like Justin Fields or Sam Darnold. pic.twitter.com/bqtSVQO0aB
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 28, 2025
This decision could signal a shift in Raiders strategy. To avoid investing in a new quarterback, who might need some time to grow into a competent player, the Raiders seem to prefer to find a veteran with immediate potential. The team may be motivated by the desire to win in the AFC West 2025 and provide more stability for interim head coach Antonio Pierce.
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Shedeur, the young quarterback candidate who is attracting the interest of several teams, may go to as high as 5th place in the NFL Draft. Sanders will likely be drafted by either the Cleveland Browns or the New York Giants with the draft’s No. With the 2nd and 3rd picks, respectively, Cleveland Browns & New York Giants will be likely to land Sanders at the draft. 3 picks, respectively.
As the Raiders currently hold the number six overall selection, it is likely that Sanders would require a move up in the draft order. Sanders could only be acquired by trading up. This would mean significant investments in draft capital. The Raiders are more likely to look at free agent and trade options in order to acquire veteran quarterbacks, given the cost.
Sam Darnold, a young free agent with a lot of potential as an option for veteran players, stands out. In the few opportunities that he had in 2024, Darnold showed the talent and potential which made him No. In the 2018 NFL Draft, he was ranked No. After acquiring Darnold they will be able to focus on surrounding Darnold with the talent necessary for them to succeed. They already have Brock Bowers, an elite tight-end who can help with the passing offense.
Sanders could fall to No. It is a very long shot that Sanders will be the No. In this scenario, the Raiders may decide to use their selection to target other areas such as wide receiver or edge rusher.
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