Shocking move: Raiders face a major decision on signing the recently released $160 million quarterback! - suong

The Las Vegas Raiders are in the midst of a lost season that will have them searching for a new quarterback in 2025. But could they start that search this season instead?

Of course, the Raiders signed Gardner Minshew during the offseason and gave him the keys to the car. Unfortunately and expectedly, Minshew failed miserably. The Raiders turned to Aidan O'Connell, but he got injured in his second start.

It's very clear the Raiders have to go in a different direction at quarterback in 2025, and ideally that involves taking a young signal-caller in next year's draft.

But there is a new option set to hit the open market in former New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, who was waived by the team on Friday after he was benched recently. Jones was in the second year of his four-year, $160 million contract.

Jones still has to clear waivers, but that is definitely going to happen, as no team in its right mind would take on his massive contract. That means Jones will be free to sign with any team as of Monday at 4:01 p.m. ET.

While it would be nice to see anyone but Minshew under center at this point, Las Vegas shouldn't bother bringing Jones in, as there really isn't anything to be gained from such a move.

Jones isn't a franchise quarterback, plain and simple, and that's what the Raiders need. Even if Las Vegas was to sign Jones and he played out of his mind, is he really someone the Raiders could trust to take this franchise forward?

Considering his history of poor play with the Giants and the fact that he's injury prone, the answer to that question is a resounding no.

Adding to that, signing Jones would actually be risky for Las Vegas, as there's a slight chance Jones would be an upgrade over Minshew, which would give the Raiders a better chance to win, something this franchise can ill-afford with its desperate need for the highest draft pick possible.

The Raiders just have to stay the painful course they're on and hope it leads to them landing their long-term solution under center in 2025.