The Las Vegas Raiders remain in rebuilding mode, largely due to their ongoing search for a reliable starting quarterback. With their current season essentially a lost cause, the team has a chance to experiment with potential options. Among the few available quarterbacks, former New York Giants signal-caller Daniel Jones stands out as a possible candidate.
On her “Scoop City” podcast on November 26, Dianna Russini of The Athletic suggested Jones could be a fit for the Raiders. “I’ve heard several teams are interested in Daniel Jones,” Russini noted. “The Raiders might make sense, given their quarterback injuries. But it’s also possible he holds out for a playoff-caliber team.”
For Raiders fans, the idea of Jones might not inspire much enthusiasm after enduring the tail end of Derek Carr’s tenure, the false hope of Jimmy Garoppolo, and the recent instability at the position. The team has alternated between Gardner Minshew—now sidelined for the season with a broken collarbone—and Aidan O’Connell, who’s been out with a thumb injury but is expected to start Friday against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Raiders’ options for addressing their quarterback dilemma are limited. They could explore free agency, with top prospects in March likely including Sam Darnold of the Vikings or Justin Fields of the Steelers. Alternatively, they might target a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. If the season ended today, Las Vegas would pick third overall, with prospects like Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) or Cam Ward (Miami) on the radar.
Signing Jones now could serve as a low-risk trial and potentially energize the team. Despite signing a $160 million extension with the Giants less than two years ago, Jones could be relatively affordable for the remainder of the 2024 season without requiring a long-term commitment. However, Jones reportedly prefers joining a playoff contender, which might complicate his fit with the Raiders.
According to Russini, a decision on Jones’ next destination is expected by the end of the week. Whether he lands in Las Vegas or elsewhere remains to be seen, but his addition could offer the Raiders a glimpse of a potential solution to their quarterback woes.
