Josh McDaniels’ lack of a clear QB plan should come as no surprise
Well, what about the Raiders’ unclear plan at quarterback? They’ve had nearly two months to iron out a concrete strategy. Is this a legitimate issue? Not yet.
At this point in the offseason, we cannot expect clear answers with so many moving parts. For starters, we don’t know what’s next for Aaron Rodgers, who may request a trade. If he does, what’s the cost to acquire him? We don’t know yet.
Though NBC Sports’ Peter King believes the Raiders aren’t interested in Aaron Rodgers, the Packers’ asking price for him could change everything.
Because Rodgers may retire within a year or two, very few teams may be desperate enough to give up multiple premium picks for him. Perhaps the New York Jets? Green Bay may have to lower the draft compensation price for the 39-year-old signal-caller to finalize a divorce. If the Packers would take a second-round pick and additional late-rounders for Rodgers, Ziegler may offer a deal.
The Raiders have been linked to Jimmy Garoppolo in free agency, but NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo expects the 31-year-old quarterback to draw “significant interest” on the open market. If that’s the case, Garoppolo’s agent may raise his client’s price in a bidding war. Ziegler probably has a set price that he’s willing to spend on each veteran quarterback on his target list. Again, that’s a fluid situation, and he spoke on that matter Tuesday.
“We’ve evaluated the quarterbacks that are in pro free agency. We understand what that market is. We have a hierarchy of what that looks like in our building, and we’re prepared to execute that plan with the caveat being there’s a contract element and a cost element involved in that. So, we don’t know what those prices are.”
What about a few wild-card options such as the former Washington Commanders quarterbacks, Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke, who have ties to the Raiders’ new passing game coordinator in Scott Turner? What if the Bears decide to trade Justin Fields? Is the trade chatter around Mac Jones legitimate? What happens to Smith if he doesn’t come to terms on a new deal with the Seahawks?
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio believes Baker Mayfield is an under-the-radar free-agent target for the Raiders as well.
“There’s one more name to watch,” Florio wrote. “Just before the 2018 draft, McDaniels held a hush-hush workout with Baker Mayfield. The Patriots liked him; they just weren’t in a position to get him.”
There could be chaos in the 2023 NFL draft
How about the uncertainty of the NFL Draft, especially this year?
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bears are “leaning toward” trading the No. 1 overall pick. If they’re fielding offers, Ziegler may pick up the phone to make a proposal. If the Bears’ price is too steep, the Raiders could contact the Kyler Murray-led Arizona Cardinals, who have the No. 3 overall selection. What about the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions at No. 5 and No. 6, respectively?
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said the team is “deeply involved” with the quarterback prospects, which may be a signal to quarterback-needy teams to make an offer for the fifth overall pick.
If the Raiders want to take a signal-caller early, they can potentially move all the up to the No. 1 spot to ensure they get their guy or wait to see who’s available at No. 7. Of course, with the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers as possible movers and shakers in the draft order, Ziegler has no idea which quarterback will remain on board when he’s on the clock unless he makes a deal for the top spot.
To sum it all up, how can you expect Ziegler and McDaniels to know exactly how to proceed with their quarterback plan with so many moving parts, options, and potential unforeseeable occurrences?
If the Raiders have a ranking of potential quarterback targets, they’re not going to announce it to the world. The best organizations keep plans close to the vest because guess what? Other general managers and coaches may have eyes on the same players.
As of right now, the Raiders shouldn’t hyperfocus on a specific quarterback unless they plan to make a deal with the Bears for the No. 1 pick—that’s the only for-sure plan right now aside from re-signing Jarrett Stidham to be the starter.
Ziegler and McDaniels should be flexible with how they proceed to address the quarterback position. And once they come up with a plan, don’t expect them to share it with all of us.
