National media outlet predicts who the Raiders' new starting QB will be in 2023
Pro Football Network made predictions for which free agents each NFL team will sign this offseason and their prediction for the Las Vegas Raiders revolves around the quarterback position. Las Vegas needs a new starting quarterback after moving on from Derek Carr earlier this offseason. The Raiders have the No. 7 pick in the 2023 […]
Pro Football Network made predictions for which free agents each NFL team will sign this offseason and their prediction for the Las Vegas Raiders revolves around the quarterback position.
Las Vegas needs a new starting quarterback after moving on from Derek Carr earlier this offseason.
The Raiders have the No. 7 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but there are no sure things at quarterback that will be available when Las Vegas makes their selection.
For that reason, it seems more likely that the Raiders will find their new quarterback via free agency.
Pro Football Network, in fact, has Vegas signing Jimmy Garoppolo, a former second-round draft pick.
The Raiders might try to swing a trade for Rodgers, but if they can’t land the future Hall of Famer, Jimmy Garoppolo could make for an intriguing fallback. Las Vegas may have had designs on signing Tom Brady this offseason, but Garoppolo also has a long history with head coach Josh McDaniels, who was the Patriots’ offensive coordinator when they drafted Jimmy G in 2014.
Even if the Raiders sign Garoppolo, they could still conceivably draft a quarterback with the seventh overall pick. Depending on how much interest Garoppolo receives this offseason, Las Vegas could ink him to a contract with an out after the 2023 campaign.
That would allow the Raiders to deploy him as their starter for the upcoming season before turning to a de facto rookie in 2024.
I like the scenario that PFN lays out for the Raiders.
While I think Garoppolo is a solid option for Las Vegas in 2023, I don't think he's a great longterm option.
Garoppolo has only played two full seasons in his career and he'll turn 32 during the 2023 season.
We pretty much know what Garoppolo is as a quarterback at this point. He's in that Ryan Tannehill/Andy Dalton territory where he can be a solid starter, but he's not going to be someone who leads the league in passing.
Vegas would be wise to sign Garoppolo to a short deal — perhaps with an out after 2023 as PFN mentioned — and then take a chance on a quarterback in the draft and see how they develop. Worst case scenario, the Raiders have another high draft pick in 2024 and then they could target another quarterback if needed.
Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
