It’s been 21 seasons since the Las Vegas Raiders, formerly of Oakland, won a postseason game. The franchise has flipped through 11 head coaches, relocated east of the Bay, and squandered a gross amount of high-end draft picks. However, they will officially usher in the Antonio Pierce era next season after the former NFL standout turned bench boss did an exceptional job with the interim tag last season, leading the Raiders to a respectable 8-9 record. With the 2024 season fast approaching, media outlet Bleacher Report has laid out the rest of Las Vegas’s to-do list to be best prepared to make a run for the playoffs next fall.
On Thursday, Blacher Report’s Matt Holder posted his ‘Every NFL Team’s To-Do List for Rest of the 2024 Offseason’ article, featuring a long list of his suggested transactions for the league’s 32 teams. Holder believes he has the framework needed for the Raiders to be ready to make the playoff jump and contend in 2024.
Bleacher Report: Las Vegas Raiders Need to Formulate Plan for QB Room
Regarding the Las Vegas Raiders, the elephant in the room remains the quarterback position. Last year’s offseason acquisition, signal-caller Jimmy Garoppolo, struggled before the team released him after just one season into his three-year, $67.5 million contract. Garoppolo missed more than half the season due to benching, with Las Vegas turning to rookie fourth-round pick Aidan O’Connell.
The Purdue product played well for his rookie status, but 12 touchdowns against seven picks across ten starts don’t precisely scream elite passer in today’s NFL. Naturally, the Raiders added free-agent quarterback Gardner Minshew fresh off a Pro Bowl season. The two passers will likely duke it out for the starting job this offseason. However, Bleacher Report suggests the Raiders formulate a solid training camp plan to get the best out of the two passers.
“So, the coaching staff needs to develop a strategy to build chemistry within the team’s starters and give each quarterback ample opportunity to win the job,” says Matt Holder of Bleacher Report. It makes sense for the Raiders to flesh out a plan for the quarterbacks, giving them plenty of opportunity to impress in training camp and build confidence and rapport with their teammates.
Raiders Should Eye Depth at 3 Critical Positions
Bleacher Report touches on the current quarterback position in Las Vegas but also emphasizes the team needs to make moves to shore up their depth at three much-needed positions. According to Matt Holder of Bleacher Report, the three most prominent positions needed for depth this offseason are cornerback, defensive tackle, and offensive tackle. The Las Vegas Raiders’ tandem with Jack Jones and Jakorian Bennett at the corner position is solid, but a lack of experience and depth remains an issue. Holder suggests the addition of veterans could help elevate the group. Adoree’ Jackson, anyone?
Holder also believes an added veteran behind offensive tackles Andrus Peat and Kolton Miller would be a welcome addition. Two-time All-Pro David Bakhtiari and Pro-Bowler D.J. Humphries remain available, among others. However, Holder takes a different approach to the team’s need for a defensive tackle, suggesting a younger player to play second fiddle behind the aging John Jenkins. Unfortunately, finding a younger backup piece seems like a pipe dream until at least rosters are cut down later in the offseason.
For More Football News:
For More Football News and to dive into the excitement, follow me on Twitter at @alec_musa. Let’s get the conversation rolling! I’m all ears for your thoughts and insights. You can also reach out to me via email at musaalec@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest college and NFL news, click here!