The Las Vegas Raiders enter the offseason with the second-most cap space in the league, with $95.36 million. Since they have the second-most cap space, Las Vegas will undoubtedly be in the market for a quarterback, addressing the position in free agency or the draft. Because they are in the market for a quarterback, their offseason acquisition from last year is on the chopping block.
The Las Vegas Raiders swung and missed at QB last offseason
The Raiders signed Gardner Minshew to a 2-year, $25 million deal instead of drafting one in last year’s loaded draft class. Minshew competed with Aidan O’Connell for the starting gig and won, but it was short-lived, as he was benched three times, and later suffered a significant injury. He completed 203 out of 306 pass attempts for 2,013 yards, nine touchdowns, and ten interceptions, with a 2-7 record. Unfortunately, a broken collarbone in Week 12 prematurely ended his season.
The 28-year-old enters the final year of his contract. He was set to earn an $11.84 million base salary along with a $14 million cap hit per Over The Cap. Because the Raiders are looking to improve their position, and he is not expected to start in 2025, he is on the chopping block.
Also Read: Predicting Each AFC West Team’s Most Likely Cap Casualty for 2025
Las Vegas Raiders cut $25 million starter after disastrous year
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Raiders have released Gardner Minshew, freeing $6.34 million in cap space and incurring a $7.66 million dead cap hit in the process. With the release of Minshew, they should have roughly $101.7 million to work with.
The #Raiders informed QB Gardner Minshew they’ll release him when the new league year begins next Wednesday, per sources.
Minshew has 46 career starts and is still only 28 years old. An experienced option available. pic.twitter.com/m9xZLzeK7l
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 5, 2025
Here’s a look at some notable quarterback free agents
- Sam Darnold
- Russell Wilson
- Justin Fields
- Jameis Winston
- Daniel Jones
- Zach Wilson
- Mac Jones
- Joe Flacco
- Jacoby Brissett
- Taylor Heinicke
