The Las Vegas Raiders are clearly ready to move on from Derek Carr at quarterback after their decision to bench him for the final two games of the season. Whether the Raiders can trade or release him outright, it will be someone else under center in silver and black next season. The question is, who will it be?
The biggest name that will likely be available is a familiar one in Tom Brady. Of course, Brady reportedly nearly signed with the Raiders before going with Tampa Bay, but now the possibility is there once again with a familiar face in Josh McDaniels now the head coach. Additionally, Jimmy Garoppolo, someone else familiar and comfortable with McDaniels, could be a possibility as well.
According to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, not only are Brady and Garoppolo players the Raiders are interested in, but Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers could also potentially be an option:
Brady, if he doesn’t retire and hits free agency, will clearly be a person of interest. So will Garoppolo. Both have significant ties to McDaniels, and each satisfies the all-important trust factor with their former coach.
Depending on how the Aaron Rodgers situation plays out, he also could be an option.
Unlike Brady or Garoppolo, who will be free agents, Rodgers would need to be traded following the massive extension he signed this past offseason. The potential move would reunite Rodgers with star receiver Davante Adams, but it is unclear what it would cost the Raiders to bring Rodgers in. Considering the amount of guaranteed money he is owed, it would seem likely that the Packers would have to eat some of that, which could lessen the chances of a deal getting done.
Brady obviously would make the biggest splash, but it is also the most short-term move, as he will be 46 years old and hasn’t had the best season this year. But it is obvious why the Raiders would be attractive to him, considering the weapons he would be surrounded with.
Garoppolo, meanwhile, has proven time and time again that he can deliver when surrounded with the right talent, and the Raiders certainly have that. He could also be the cheapest option of the three, allowing the Raiders to put some money elsewhere, like the offensive line or defense. Whatever the case may be, the Raiders must make the right decision on who their quarterback will be next season, as it will shape the future of the franchise.
