The Las Vegas Raiders’ 2024 season has been a disaster, as the team has dropped eight straight games and finds itself tied with the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars for the worst record in the NFL at 2-10. The latest heartbreaker came in Week 13, a 19-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and while there’s still plenty of football left to play, this season is all but a wash. With Week 14 taking the Raiders to Raymond James Stadium to face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there’s little optimism in the Silver and Black camp.
While the roster certainly isn’t brimming with talent, it’s impossible to ignore that the Raiders’ quarterback situation has been the driving force behind the team’s struggles. With injuries and inconsistent play, the position has been a revolving door all year, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering when the team will finally address the issue long term.
Gardner Minshew’s Disastrous 2024 Campaign
It all started with Gardner Minshew, the 28-year-old journeyman who was expected to stabilize the quarterback position after the Raiders’ decision to part ways with Derek Carr. Unfortunately, Minshew has done anything but provide that stability. He opened the season as the starter but struggled mightily, throwing just nine touchdowns to 10 interceptions in his 10 starts. The former Indianapolis Colt wasn’t able to get anything going offensively, and his turnover-prone play became a liability the Raiders couldn’t afford.
The team’s hopes of a midseason turnaround took a major hit in Week 12 when Minshew broke his collarbone against the Denver Broncos, effectively ending his season. Given his underwhelming performance and now a major injury, it seems unlikely that Minshew will return to Las Vegas in 2025. The Raiders, in desperate need of a fresh start at quarterback, are already looking ahead to their next move.
Aidan O’Connell’s Limited Promise
With Minshew out, 2023 fourth-round pick Aidan O’Connell was thrust into the starting role. O’Connell had been sidelined with a broken thumb for several weeks, but after returning in Week 13, he showed that he’s a better option than Minshew—though that’s not saying much. The rookie did his best to keep the Raiders in the game against Kansas City, but his performance underscored that he is far from the long-term answer at quarterback.
O’Connell’s performance has been underwhelming, and while he shows flashes of potential, the reality is that the Raiders need a game-changing quarterback to lead them into the future. O’Connell, at best, may be a solid backup for the team, but he won’t be the one to turn the franchise around. With that in mind, Las Vegas will almost certainly be in the market for a new quarterback this offseason, and they won’t be satisfied with anything less than a long-term solution.
Jameis Winston: A Logical Veteran Addition
So, what can the Raiders do? Well, according to Jeremy Goldstein of The Mirror, one interesting possibility for Las Vegas is veteran quarterback Jameis Winston, who could be an intriguing addition to the quarterback room. After taking over as the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in Week 8 following Deshaun Watson’s season-ending Achilles injury, Winston has shown flashes of his former self. He’s thrown for seven touchdowns and seven interceptions in four starts, with wins against two of the AFC North’s top teams—Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
Though Winston hasn’t been perfect, he’s established himself as one of the more reliable backup quarterbacks in the NFL. The Browns’ playoff hopes are virtually nonexistent, but Winston has injected some excitement into a tumultuous season and would likely welcome the opportunity to join a team like the Raiders—a franchise in need of both a veteran presence and a bridge to a future franchise quarterback.
Given Las Vegas’s struggles with veteran signal-callers the last two seasons, adding Winston would be a smart move, especially if the Raiders plan to draft a rookie quarterback high in the 2025 NFL Draft. Winston would provide stability and mentorship while allowing the rookie to develop, which is a scenario that could benefit both parties.
Looking Ahead: Quarterback Draft Plans
The Raiders’ quarterback dilemma is further complicated by their current position in the standings. While they are tied with the Giants for the worst record in the NFL, Las Vegas holds the tiebreaker, which means they are currently slated to pick second overall in the 2025 Draft. This provides them with a unique opportunity to select one of the top quarterbacks on the board, something the franchise will almost certainly prioritize after the failed Gardner Minshew experiment.
The thought of a potential pairing between Las Vegas and Shedeur Sanders—son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders—has already stirred some buzz, especially given the recent partnership between Tom Brady and Raiders owner Mark Davis. With Brady now a minority owner, could the Raiders look to draft Sanders and bring Deion in as head coach? It’s certainly a possibility, and such a move could inject a much-needed shot of excitement and energy into a franchise desperate for a new identity.
Conclusion: The Raiders’ Path Forward
The Las Vegas Raiders are at a crossroads in 2024. After yet another disappointing season, the team finds itself once again searching for a long-term solution at quarterback. Whether that solution comes in the form of a rookie like Sanders or another option, the Raiders must finally make the right choice. Adding a veteran presence like Winston would provide the stability the team so desperately needs while allowing the new quarterback to develop at a reasonable pace.
Whatever path the Raiders decide to take, one thing is clear: the quarterback position must be addressed, or this franchise will continue to flounder in mediocrity.
