After a crazy 2020 NFL season, there is expected to be a historic amount of quarterback movement across the league this offseason.
The movement has already begun with the Los Angeles Rams acquiring Matthew Stafford from the Detroit Lions for Jared Goff and draft picks. The haul of two first-round picks and a third-rounder that the Lions received could set the market for quarterback trades, with Deshaun Watson being the big prize if the Houston Texans decide to move him.
The Las Vegas Raiders are actually one of the more stable teams at the quarterback position as although they finished 8-8 and missed the postseason in 2020, Derek Carr had a very solid season.
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden always seems to be enamored with quarterbacks though, so it appears Las Vegas may try to upgrade at the position. According to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Carr is receiving some trade interest across the league if the Raiders attempt to acquire Watson:
Derek Carr’s outstanding season has made him a sought-after commodity for teams in need of a quarterback and could open the door for the Raiders to pursue Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.
The Raiders obviously are not tipping their hand about any offseason moves. But several NFL insiders expect the Raiders to field calls from teams inquiring about Carr’s availability.
According to Bonsignore’s report, the Raiders will attempt to get back two first-round picks for Carr, which they would then couple with two of their own first-round picks to send Houston four total for Watson. The New England Patriots are among the teams that would be believed to have interest.
Although Watson has requested a trade, to this point the Texans have stated they have no desire in dealing him, so it will be interesting to see if they keep that stance the entire offseason or if he ultimately gets moved.
Trading four first-round picks for a quarterback when the Raiders already have a solid one may not be the best allocation of resources, especially with all of the issues the organization has on the defensive side of the ball.
Watson is a generational type quarterback though, so if Gruden sees an opportunity to acquire him then there is no doubt he will try to do so, which should make for an interesting offseason.
