The Las Vegas Raiders are currently juggling between quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell, but neither seems to be finding much comfort in the starting position.
Minshew initially secured the starting role during the preseason but lost it in the third quarter of the team’s Week 5 loss to the Denver Broncos. O’Connell, who finished last season as the starter, is also raising doubts about his ability to hold onto the QB1 spot for long.
“Aidan O’Connell is 1-for-6 with an interception and a 2.1 passer rating on deep attempts, so expectations should be tempered,” Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report commented on October 11. “Gardner Minshew II isn’t out of the picture in Las Vegas yet.”
A long-term solution at quarterback might not arrive until the 2025 NFL Draft, with potential prospects like Cam Ward from the Miami Hurricanes or Shedeur Sanders from the Colorado Buffaloes. However, a temporary fix could emerge before the NFL trade deadline on November 5.
Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams is among the quarterbacks most likely to be available for trade soon. With the Rams off to a 1-4 start and dealing with injuries, Stafford’s $160 million contract could make him expendable if the team isn’t aiming to contend in 2024.
“Stafford might be in his last season with the Rams, even if they manage to turn around their 1-4 start,” wrote Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. “Trading him for draft picks could benefit both Stafford and the Rams if he gets a fresh start elsewhere.”
Acquiring Stafford could also impact the Raiders’ decision on whether to trade wide receiver Davante Adams, who has requested a move away from Las Vegas and is set to miss his third consecutive game due to a hamstring injury.
Stafford’s addition would likely boost the performance of receivers like Jakobi Meyers and rising star tight end Brock Bowers, making the Raiders (currently 2-3) more competitive within the AFC West and the broader conference.
Stafford, now 36, has an impressive career with over 57,000 passing yards, 360 touchdowns, and a Super Bowl win with the Rams in 2021.
Considering Stafford’s contract and the Rams’ need for quarterbacks, it might make sense for the Raiders to include Minshew in a potential deal, sending him to Los Angeles to join Jimmy Garoppolo.
