The Las Vegas Raiders have quite a bit of work to do this offseason. More specifically, the Raiders need to figure out what to do at quarterback. Jimmy Garoppolo is as good as gone, following a disappointing and injury-shortened 2023 season. Not only was his season cut short, he also has been suspended by the NFL for violating their policy on performance enhancing drugs.
Fortunately for the Raiders, they already have a world-class wide receiver that will help lure free agent quarterbacks to the desert. Davante Adams may have had a down year in 2023, but a down year for him was 103 receptions for 1,104 yards and eight touchdowns. While there were rumors earlier this offseason that Las Vegas would potentially trade the six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, general manager Tom Telesco told the media on Tuesday that they will not be trading him.
The Las Vegas Raiders Had Inconsistent Quarterback Play in 2023
Garoppolo was 3-3 as the Raiders starter, completing 65.1% of his passes for 1,205 yards, seven touchdowns, and a brutal nine interceptions. 38-year old veteran Brian Hoyer started one game, but did not play well. 2023 fourth round pick Aiden O’Connell started 10 games, going 5-5 while completing 62.1% of his passes for 2,218 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
While O’Connell certainly was not bad, he was not great either. If the Raiders are going to finally break free of their recent history of underachievement, it is pertinent that they find a better quarterback. To do so, they will need to look to the free agent market.
The Las Vegas Raiders Can Now Pursue Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Kirk Cousins
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is set to become a free agent when the new league year starts on March 13. Since the Vikings can no longer use the franchise tag on him, there is a great possibility that he plays for a different team in 2024.
Cousins may have torn his Achilles in Week Eight last season, but he was having what could have been the best season of his career when the injury occurred. In eight games, Cousins had a 69.5% completion percentage, 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns, five interceptions, and a passer rating of 103.8.
Ironically, the Raiders would not have been able to pursue Cousins at all had Garoppolo not been suspended. Cousins’ reported asking price is $30 million per season, which would have been out of Las Vegas’ price range. However, the violation of the NFL’s performance enhancing drug policy completely wipes out any guaranteed money left on his contract. Between cutting Garoppolo and his suspension, the Raiders can save $22.5 million of salary cap space in 2024.
Las Vegas Raiders Wide Receiver Davante Adams Wants to Play with Kirk Cousins
Recently, Adams appeared on the podcast 2 G’s in a Pod. One of the co-hosts of that show is former NFL wide receiver James Jones, who played for the Raiders in 2014. He also played with Adams for one year with the Green Bay Packers in 2015.
During the show, Adams acknowledged that there are a few free agent quarterbacks out there that are pretty good, but he singled out Cousins as the one who is best at getting his wide receivers the ball:
“If we’re talking about a dude that can just find somebody, I mean, I like Kirk Cousins. I think Kirk Cousins is a really good quarterback. As far as availability, I think Kirk’s a good player.”
Adams, of course, knows Cousins’ game well. The two were rivals back when Adams played for the Packers.
2024 will be Cousins’ age 36 season. Coming off of a major injury, there is no telling exactly how many more years he can play. However, he has proven to be one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL over the years and is certainly a better option than any the Raiders currently have.
If O’Connell is going to be as good as some think he can after his baptism by fire in 2023, perhaps a year or two behind Cousins would not be a bad thing for him either.
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