After filling out the coaching staff, the top priority for new Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek is to figure out what to do at the quarterback position.
The Raiders have two veteran quarterbacks under contract in Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew, but Minshew was a total failure in 2024 and O'Connell simply hasn't shown enough to warrant getting the job without at least some competition.
Las Vegas also owns the No. 6 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and ideally that's where their quarterback of the future will come from. But, it's also possible they look into free agency and the trade market to find their next guy.
With that in mind, TWSN's Brent Hertzenberg is predicting that the team will sign former No. 1 overall pick and Cleveland Browns signal-caller, Jameis Winston, in free agency.
"Most people are going to tie Russell Wilson to the Raiders, but based on Wilson’s reputation of not being the best leader and teammate during his Seattle stint, I’m going with a different option," he wrote. "If Carroll could make Wilson appear elite during their time, and resurrect Geno Smith from backup purgatory, he can do the same with Jameis Winston. Winston is Jekyll and Hyde, but maybe Carroll can pull out the good side more often.
"Winston has the skill to put up big numbers offensively. He’s also notorious for turning it over at a high rate," Hertzenberg added. "The Raiders have $97 million in cap space this free agency, and he will likely be an affordable option. They could sign Winston fairly cheap and spend the rest on loading up the roster around him. Teammates love Winston and his quirky, yet inspirational personality. Even if the Raiders decide to draft Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward, neither of them appear to be NFL ready on day one. It would greatly benefit them to experience a 'red shirt' year and learn from a leader like Winston. This solves the issue of playing to win now AND build for the future."
Winston spent last season with the Cleveland Browns, where he served as Deshaun Watson's backup. He started seven games in place of an injured Watson and was the roller coaster we've come to expect Winston to be.
There is a scenario where we could see the Raiders signing Winston, but first they have to cut ties with Minshew, which is certainly possible. From there, Winston can be brought in as competition for O'Connell and whoever the team drafts at quarterback, if they draft anyone at all.
Winston is not going to be a long-term solution, but he is a strong depth option and a good guy to have in the locker room. It certainly wouldn't hurt to bring him in.
According to Pro Football Focus, Winston is projected to receive a two-year deal worth $12.5 million. The Raiders are flush with cap space and can easily afford the veteran signal-caller, but shouldn't tie themselves to him for more than one season.
