Raiders’ Biggest Keys To Having Successful NFL Offseason
The Las Vegas Raiders weren’t a playoff team in 2023, but they finished with enough momentum to feel good about their chances in 2024.
Interim coach Antonio Pierce guided Las Vegas to a 5-4 record down the stretch, good enough for him to have the interim tag removed. the Raiders’ late-season surge also included a decisive win over the rival Kansas City Chiefs, who then went on to win the Super Bowl.
With former Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco now in the fold, the Raiders have their front-office foundation. Now, the challenge becomes improving a roster that has flashed promise but isn’t complete.
The Raiders have $42.6 million in projected cap space and the 13th overall pick in April’s draft. However, winning the offseason will require more than just bringing in a few big names.
Below, we’ll dive into Las Vegas’ biggest keys to having a successful 2024 offseason.
Bring in Competition at QB
One of the first moves Las Vegas should make this offseason is dumping Jimmy Garoppolo. With Josh McDaniels out, Garoppolo has little value for the Raiders, and releasing him with a post-June 1 designation would save $12.1 million in cap space.
The Raiders’ next step will be finding a new quarterback to push Aidan O’Connell in training camp.
While O’Connell (83.9 QB rating) was serviceable in 2023 and went 5-5 as the starter, he didn’t show enough to be handed the keys to the offense permanently. The Raiders may not replace O’Connell outright, but they have to at least bring in competition.
Fortunately, Las Vegas should have multiple options at quarterback this offseason.
The Raiders could target a free agent like Baker Mayfield, Jacoby Brissett or Tyrod Taylor. They could also consider targeting a draft prospect like LSU’s Jayden Daniels or Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy—though if Las Vegas drafts a QB in Round 1, it’ll do so with the intent of replacing O’Connell as the starter.
What the Raiders can’t do is simply stand back and hope that O’Connell develops into a star. The AFC West is too talented for Las Vegas to compete with middling quarterback play.
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