However, in six years with the Raiders, Crosby has had one winning season and hasn’t won a play game. That lack of success can wear on a player like Crosby. The star defensive end recently vented about his situation in Las Vegas, which led to some trade speculation.

“Years of inconsistency. New coaches every other year. New teammates. And there’s been plenty of times where I’m like, ‘Damn, like, this D line is cold,’ and then I come back and every single one of them is gone,” Crosby said on the Dec. 24 episode of “The Rush.” “It’s like, ‘What the [expletive]?'”

“It’s tough, bro, because I feel for Myles (Garrett) because he’s in that same boat,” Crosby added.

It’s clear that Crosby is starting to get frustrated with the inconsistency with the Raiders. He’s in the prime of his career and may have concerns about spending the rest of it in Las Vegas if he doesn’t think they can win.

Maxx Crosby Talks Contract

Another reason why there’s starting to be some trade speculation with Crosby is due to his contract situation. He’s one of the highest-paid defensive players in the NFL but he has no more guaranteed money left on his contract.

He doesn’t seem excited about that as he spoke about being something that needs to be addressed in the offseason.

“I have no more guaranteed money,” Crosby said. “Obviously there’s going to be a lot of things that need to be talked about and I’m looking forward to those conversations. It’s going to be awesome. I’m looking forward to this offseason and the process and I will say, on top of it – the Raider fans have been dope as [expletive] and I love them to death. Like that’s one thing, through everything the fans have truly since Day 1 embraced me and being in their corner. I think it’s the dopest [expletive], like even with the injuries and all this [expletive] the support has been the coolest [expletive] ever. Yeah, there is so many things that gotta be talked about, so it’s going to be interesting. I’m looking forward to it.”

General manager Tom Telesco gave Crosby a raise in the offseason for no reason so it’s hard to imagine he’ll shut down the defensive end when he comes to renegotiate his contract.

Crosby Trade Is Unlikely

Crosby may be getting frustrated with the Raiders and could even get to the point where he requests a trade but he’s under contract through the 2026 season. There’s not much he can do if the Raiders don’t want to trade him.

Crosby isn’t the holdout type so it’s unlikely he’d hold the Raiders’ feet to the fire if he wanted a trade. Las Vegas shouldn’t want to trade him. He’s one of the best defensive players in the NFL and he’s only 27. The more likely solution is for the team to restructure his contract to give him more guaranteed money.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Raiders Star Stirs Trade Speculation With Unexpected Comments appeared first on Heavy Sports.

One fan went so far as to make his own sign that said, “Tank for Sheduer,” and displayed it during the Raiders’ Week 15 game against the Atlanta Falcons. Sanders has been a hyped-up prospect for years but the NFL is becoming a reality. He’s in his last year in college and will be playing on Sundays next year.

He saw the Raiders fan with the sign and had a response on what he thought about it.

“Whenever you see a fan took his time out of the day to bring that sign and then it’s on TV and everything, it’s just like dang, this is crazy,” Sanders said on the Dec. 24 episode of the “2Legendary with Shedeur Sanders” podcast. “It feels real. It’s real, now.”

There’s not much Sanders can do to end with the Raiders. He’s going to have to play wherever he’s drafted but there’s been a lot of flirting with Las Vegas. Time will tell if it can happen.

Could Raiders Still Land Shedeur Sanders at No. 6?

According to Tankathon, the Raiders are currently set to hold the No. 6 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Many believe that could take them out of position to draft Sanders but that’s no guarantee.

However, this is considered a weak quarterback class and the teams picking ahead of Las Vegas may prefer to address other positions. The one team that will almost certainly pick a quarterback is the New York Giants and they currently hold the No. 1 pick, but they may not favor Sanders.

In a recent mock draft from Nate Tice and Charles McDonald of Yahoo Sports, the Giants take Miami’s Cam Ward with the No. 1 pick and Sanders falls to the Raiders at No. 6.

“Another team with a dire quarterback situation, the Raiders opt to take Sanders to shore up that position for them,” Tice and McDonald wrote in a Dec. 26 mock draft. “They can’t walk into another season with Aidan O’Connell as their best option, even though he’s a good backup option to have moving forward.”

This would be a best-case scenario for the Raiders as they wouldn’t have to reach too high for a potential franchise quarterback and also wouldn’t have to make a trade-up.

Can Raiders Hold off on a QB for Another Year?

The Raiders may also have to consider waiting another year to address the quarterback need. The fact of the matter is that their roster isn’t close to being ready to compete in a loaded AFC West. Plus, the jury is still out on head coach Antonio Pierce.

If the plan is to keep Pierce another year, it might be better for the Raiders to roll with a veteran at quarterback in 2025. The 2026 class of quarterbacks could also be much better. The Raiders could use their first-round pick to address a position of need while filling out some other roster holes. Then whoever they draft in 2026 could be stepping into a much better situation.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Shedeur Sanders Sends Message to Viral Raiders Fan appeared first on Heavy Sports.

This will throw a wrench in the Raiders’ likely plan to add a franchise quarterback. However, it won’t be impossible but general manager Tom Telesco might need to trade up. Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic believes the Tennessee Titans could be a potential trade partner if they end up picking ahead of Las Vegas.

In his latest mock draft, he projected the Raiders to trade with the Titans to move up to No. 4 and draft Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

“Ameer Abdullah’s game-winning TD Sunday did some real damage to Las Vegas’ shot at an easy path to a new QB in this draft,” Baumgardner wrote in a Dec. 24 mock draft. “If the draft started today, the Raiders would be picking No. 6, behind both the Giants and Tennessee — the Titans, like the Giants, absolutely need a quarterback and could well be interested in either Sanders or Ward.

“But the Raiders really need a quarterback. And though that win over Jacksonville certainly could make that pursuit a bit more complicated, the good news for Las Vegas is it has plenty of draft capital this year, including four picks in the top 75. If the Raiders have to make a deal, they can.”

Shedeur Sanders Not a Top-10 Prospect

If the Raiders end up picking outside of the top five, it’s possible that they have helped themselves avoid making a reach. Many expect Las Vegas to be interested in Sanders and there’s a strong argument that he’s the best quarterback prospect in the class.

The problem is that not many believe he’s one of the best players in the draft. The Atheltic’s Dane Brugler has Sanders ranked as the 23rd-best prospect in the draft.

“There is a lot to like about Sanders’ package of skills,” Brugler wrote in his Nov. 12 big board. “He is poised, tough and accurate with a natural feel for touch and layering the football. But one of the main concerns is the inconsistent way he manages the pocket, drifting or welcoming negative plays by holding onto the football. (The blame for the number of sacks Sanders has taken at Colorado doesn’t entirely fall on the offensive line.)

“Sanders reminds me of Jordan Love, but without the high-end physical traits, because they both use athletic movements to skillfully access different throwing platforms. Sanders doesn’t have Love’s size or arm strength, however, which is a concern when playing that style of game. Nonetheless, Sanders’ ball placement and toughness will give him a chance to become an established NFL starter.”

Quarterback Makes a Big Difference

It would be a big reach to use a top-five draft pick on a player who isn’t considered one of the 20 best players in the class. That said, quarterback is easily the most important position in the NFL.

The Raiders have had subpar quarterback play this season, which is a big reason why they’ve only won three games. Going after Sanders might be a reach but if they believe he’s a significant upgrade over what they have at the position, they have to do what they can to get him.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Raiders Land Sought-After QB Thanks to Titans in New NFL Mock Draft appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Jacobs is on the Green Bay Packers now and Carr is with the New Orleans Saints. The two teams played each other on Monday night and the former Raiders were able to link up after the game.

Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby played with Jacobs and Carr for several years and when he saw the video of the two together on Instagram, he commented “My Dogs.”

Notably, Carr is about to have his first reunion with the Raiders in Week 17 since they cut him. However, Crosby won’t be playing as he’s out for the season and Carr may be out due to an injury. It remains to be seen if Crosby will be able to make the trip out to New Orleans so that he can reconnect with Carr.

There’s no doubt that if the quarterback can play, he’ll do whatever he can to make it happen. The Saints won’t be in the playoffs this year but Carr has to like the idea of beating the team that cut him nearly two years ago.

Would Raiders Be Better off With Jacobs & Carr?

In hindsight, the Raiders have made a lot of mistakes. Carr is the team’s franchise-leading passer in every major statistical category. However, the team just wasn’t winning enough with him at the helm. The mistake wasn’t moving on from him, the mistake was paying him, giving him a no-trade clause, cutting him less than a year later and having no strong plan to replace him.

The Raiders are now in quarterback purgatory and they certainly wouldn’t be any worse if Carr was still in Las Vegas. Letting Jacobs go in free agency is the biggest mark against general manager Tom Telesco so far.

The Raiders have the worst rushing offense in the NFL this season while Jacobs is fourth in the league with 1,216 yards and also has 13 rushing touchdowns. Considering Las Vegas had major questions at quarterback in the offseason, it doesn’t make much sense why they weren’t willing to pay Jacobs.

Raiders Have Big Needs at QB & RB

Considering the Raiders have had some misses at quarterback and running back, they’re going to have to address both positions this offseason. Luckily, there are some intriguing prospects. If the Raiders continue to fall down the draft board, they could skip a quarterback and consider Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. He could potentially break Barry Sanders’ record for most rushing yards in a college football season and he’s the best running back prospect in the class.

If the Raiders can move back up in the draft, it’s likely they’ll target a quarterback. Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders has commonly been linked to the team. Las Vegas needs to upgrade both positions or it’ll be hard to see how they’ll be much better in 2025. The Raiders have one of the worst offenses in the NFL and need a serious influx of talent.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Raiders DE Maxx Crosby Has Message for Derek Carr Ahead of Reunion appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Fans even noticed how Sanders would post “Thank you GOD” after every Raiders loss on X. Following Las Vegas’ win on Sunday, they dropped to No. 6 in the 2025 NFL Draft order, per Tankathon. Sanders decided to send out a different message on X after the win.

“Legendary,” Sanders wrote less than an hour after the Raiders game ended.

It’s difficult to know what he could mean by that. He posted the same message on X during the Raiders’ Week 15 loss to the Atlanta Falcons and also used the same caption over a photo of Allegiant Stadium during a recent trip to Las Vegas.

It seems to be a common word he uses but the timing of his posts is still interesting. Sanders is certainly intrigued by Las Vegas but it remains to be seen if it’s Raiders or bust for him. He’s not going to have much of a say in where he gets drafted, especially with the Raiders falling all the way down to No. 6 for now.

Can Raiders Still Land Shedeur Sanders?

The New York Giants, Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns are three of the teams now projected to pick ahead of the Raiders that all need quarterbacks. The Titans play the Jaguars in Week 17 and a win in that spot would put the Raiders back ahead of them.

However, it’ll be very difficult for Las Vegas to get back ahead of the Giants. New York is almost certainly going to draft a quarterback. ESPN recently reported that Sanders may prefer the Raiders to the Giants but it remains to be seen if that preference is strong enough for him to refuse to play for them.

That may be the only way the Raiders could realistically still get Sanders. His father Deion Sanders has said that the family will be willing to force Shedeur Sanders to the team he wants to play for but that would be contingent on him not wanting to play for the Giants.

Antonio Pierce Rips Idea of Tanking

Fans were hoping for the Raiders to lose out but head coach Antonio Pierce desperately needed to get a win. Had the team lost 13 straight to end the season, there’s a good chance he would’ve been fired.

Pierce is still on the hot seat but his chances of keeping the job have increased. That said, the future of the franchise is hurt by not having the No. 1 pick. The coach doesn’t care. He only cares about winning.

“We don’t do this to lose,” Pierce said during his Monday press conference. “We don’t do this for anybody’s fantasy football team. We don’t do this for anybody’s draft projections. None of that [expletive] matters to us. The only thing that matters is winning, and that’s all we want to do.”

Even if Pierce is brought back because of this win, it may not change the inevitable as the Raiders won’t be very good next season if they can’t make a significant upgrade at quarterback.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders Has Eye-Opening Message Following Raiders Win appeared first on Heavy Sports.

According to Tankathon, they went from having the No. 1 pick before Week 16 to No. 6 now. Owner Mark Davis hasn’t been shy about wanting an upgrade at quarterback but that’ll be difficult to pull now.

In the past, owners have wanted their teams to tank to get a top draft pick but not Davis. According to Tashan Reed and Vic Tafur of The Athletic, the owner was elated after the Raiders’ Sunday win and was in the locker room celebrating with players.

“Way to fight,” Davis told players.

Tafur and Reed also reported that Davis had a big smile on his face. Though the Raiders may not be able to get one of the top quarterbacks in the draft, it’s clear that Davis merely cares about winning. That’s not something that some other owners in the NFL can say. Davis has only seen the Raiders have two winning seasons since taking over the franchise and that’s not going to change this season, but he can be happy about this late-season victory for now.

Kolton Miller & Ameer Abdullah Talk Mark Davis

It’s been months since the last Raiders victory. Even though the win hurts the team more than helps them in the long run, players were very happy to get another win and were even happier to see Davis celebrating with them.

Left tackle Kolton Miller spoke about how refreshing it was to see the owner happy.

“It’s great to see,” Miller said, per Reed and Tafur. “It speaks to the owner backing us and the belief that we have in the team and coaching staff playing for one another. We’re still fighting no matter the record or losing streak. It was great to see the smile on his face, and it means a lot to the players.”

Running back Ameer Abdullah opened up about how much the Raiders mean to Davis.

“(Davis) is committed, man,” Abdullah said. “He is a Raider. His dad’s best friend was the logo, and Mark bleeds Silver and Black. I am glad we can finally share a win with him.”

Raiders Players Have No Interest in Tanking

While many fans would’ve liked to see the Raiders lose the rest of their games and secure the No. 1 pick, it’s impossible to expect players to be on board with that. Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers hears the noise but isn’t about to play less hard.

“We hear what the fans are saying,” Meyers said. “But we’re professionals. We are going to do our best to win every day.”

There are also a lot of players who may not be back next season. Abdullah isn’t under contract so he doesn’t care whether or not the Raiders get a high draft pick.

“Listen, I just work here,” Abdullah said. “And we’re going to try and get another win next week.”

Raiders fans may be down right now but the players have worked hard to earn a win.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Mark Davis’ True Feelings About Raiders Losing No. 1 Pick Revealed appeared first on Heavy Sports.

While there are still two games left for the Raiders to try and move back up the draft board, it’s looking more likely they won’t have a top-three draft pick, which should put them out of the running to get Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, who are widely considered the top two quarterbacks in the class.

There isn’t a third quarterback who would warrant a top-10 draft pick but the Raiders are desperate for an upgrade at the position. This is why Kyle Crabbs of The 33rd Team is projecting Las Vegas to take Alabama’s Jalen Milroe with the No. 6 pick.

“The Raiders’ win against the Jaguars has thrown the conventional understanding of the top of the draft in a complete loop,” Crabbs wrote in a Dec. 23 mock draft. “Falling behind not only Tennessee but also Cleveland puts the Raiders in a precarious position for drafting a quarterback — although they ultimately choose to draft the most physically gifted one eligible for 2025 here in Jalen Milroe.

“Will Milroe choose to return to Tuscaloosa? If so, the Raiders may be up the creek without a paddle. And although he’s got more development needed than both Ward and Sanders, he does have special talent that can be used to craft a unique offense to defend.”

Jalen Milroe at No. 6 Would Be Massive Reach

Milroe has shown a lot of promise at Alabama. He’s very athletic and has a big arm. He has all of the skills a team would want in a quarterback.

However, he’s also been very inconsistent with his play. He’s thrown 15 touchdowns to 10 interceptions this season, which is worse than the 23 touchdowns to six interceptions he had last season. Typically, a quarterback who has shown significant regression doesn’t move up draft boards.

Milroe does have promise but there are few mock drafts that have him going in the first round, let alone the top 10. Perhaps he can wow teams with his pre-draft workouts and that will help him move up draft boards but it’s still hard to see a team using a top 10 pick on him. The Raiders can’t afford to take that kind of gamble on a project like Milroe, especially considering they don’t have a good offensive coaching staff right now.

Raiders May Need to Wait Until 2nd Round to Address QB

If Ward and Sanders are off the board when the Raiders select in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, they may need to consider either trading down or addressing a need other than quarterback. There are plenty of high-end prospects at the top of the draft who could help the Raiders.

That said, Las Vegas needs to come out of the draft with at least one quarterback prospect. If Milroe makes it to the second round, he should be much more appealing to the Raiders. They could also look at Jaxson Dart, Dillon Gabriel or Carson Beck.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Raiders Predicted to Add QB With ‘Special Talent’ After Falling Down Draft Board appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Considering the Raiders have a glaring need at quarterback, many fans have been rooting for the team to lose the rest of their games to ensure they get the No. 1 pick and can pick whichever quarterback they want. However, head coach Antonio Pierce isn’t interested in that discussion.

Following the win, Pierce had a blunt response when asked about the fans hoping for Las Vegas to lose.

“Talk to Tom Telesco,” Pierce said in his postgame press conference.

Pierce hasn’t had much to say about the future of the franchise this season and has directed such questions to the general manager throughout the year. The coach isn’t guaranteed to return next season so there’s no reason for him to be worrying about draft order. That said, a win over the Jaguars now has major ramifications for the future of the franchise but for now, the team appears to be all smiles.

Does This Win Help Antonio Pierce?

It’s been a rough first year for Pierce as the full-time head coach. He’s now 3-12 and the Raiders are tied for the second-worst record in the NFL.

Las Vegas has been bad but it’s clear that the players haven’t given up on Pierce yet. He knows how to push the right buttons to keep players motivated. The problem facing him is that is just one aspect of being a head coach.

Even though the Raiders won, they still couldn’t score over 20 points and were playing very sloppy football. This win over the Jaguars will only help Pierce’s chances of coming back but it’s still far from a guarantee that he’ll be back. Jacksonville is one of the NFL’s worst teams and is starting a backup quarterback right now so this is hardly a marquee win for the coach.

What’s Next for Raiders?

The Raiders face the New Orleans Saints in Week 17 and then the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18. A win over one of those teams would give owner Mark Davis more of a reason to keep Pierce for another season.

The Saints have had a rough season and could be starting a backup quarterback against the Raiders. That will be a winnable game for Las Vegas. The Chargers are one of the top teams in the AFC right now and will be tough to beat unless they rest starters ahead of the playoffs.

If they do decide to keep their starters out, the Raiders could be looking at a three-game winning streak to end the year. While that would disastrous for their draft position, it would likely be enough for Pierce to be brought back next season. The future is grim for the Raiders and winning two more meaningless games to end the year would only hurt the franchise going forward.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Antonio Pierce Has Four Word Response to Raiders Fans Who Were Rooting for Tank appeared first on Heavy Sports.

While the team is happy to break a 10-game losing streak, it’s a brutal drop for a team desperate for a quarterback. As of right now, there are at least three teams picking before Las Vegas that could draft a quarterback.

If the Raiders don’t have a chance to draft Miami’s Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, there are still some very good players they could target. Below, we’re going to go through the best non-quarterback Las Vegas could target in the draft.

Travis Hunter, CB/WR Colorado

Depending on where the Raiders end up in the draft and which teams pick in front of them, they may not have a chance at Colorado star Travis Hunter. That said, he’d be a logical player for the team to target if they can’t get a quarterback they like.

General manager Tom Telesco proved with the draft pick of tight end Brock Bowers last year that he likes to target the best player available regardless of need. Hunter is arguably the best overall player in the entire draft class. While it seems likely he’ll be a cornerback full-time in the NFL, he’s shown in college that he can be an impact player as a receiver, as well.

The Raiders have big needs at wide receiver and cornerback and Hunter could help fill both of them if he’s able to play both ways at the NFL level. Missing out on a quarterback would be brutal but Hunter is a generational talent who could be a major difference maker on offense and defense.

Will Johnson, CB Michigan

If the Raiders end up picking outside of the top three, there are a good number of positions they could target. While they could look to address their need at right tackle or either of the offensive guard spots, they may prefer to solve a need they’ve had for years now.

The Raiders have struggled to find stability at cornerback. Jakorian Bennett appears to be a starter going forward but Jack Jones is too inconsistent to be penciled in as a starter next season. Michigan cornerback Will Johnson will almost certainly be on the team’s radar.

He’s arguably the best cornerback in the class and is widely considered the second-best overall prospect in the draft behind Hunter. He has the potential to be one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL very quickly. Having him next to Bennett would give the Raiders a potentially incredible young cornerback duo. Considering the talent the team has on the defensive line, adding a player like Johnson could take the defense to another level.

Tetairoa McMillan, WR Arizona

The Raiders traded Davante Adams to the New York Jets during the season, which has left the wide receiver room very thin. Jakobi Meyers is a very good receiver but makes more sense as a No. 2 option.

Las Vegas needs a true No. 1 wide receiver and Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan is the best talent in the 2025 draft. At 6-foot-5, he’s a massive target but has plenty of speed to separate. Pairing McMillan with Bowers would give the Raiders two huge mismatches on offense. Considering this scenario would involve the team missing out on a top quarterback prospect, the best thing they can hope to do is make life easy for whoever ends up starting next season. Adding a player like McMillan certainly helps accomplish that.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post 3 Non-QBs Raiders Can Target After Falling Down Draft Board appeared first on Heavy Sports.

He’s been flirting with the idea of joining the team and owner Mark Davis showed some mutual interest. However, he may not actually be the top quarterback in the class. While Sanders is considered pro-ready, Miami quarterback Cam Ward has a higher upside.

The 33rd Team’s Ian Valentino projected the Raiders to pass over Sanders with the No. 1 pick and take Ward instead.

“The Raiders simply need to get one of the two clear first-round quarterback prospects in the 2025 class,” Valentino wrote in a Dec. 17 mock draft. “Cam Ward has better physical tools than Sanders but is also more reckless with the ball.

“While that’s a red flag, Vegas can’t keep spinning its wheels. Barring a signing of Sam Darnold, drafting a quarterback to compete with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert is imperative.”

Ward has higher bust potential than Sanders but perhaps it’s time for the Raiders to take a big swing if they hope to compete in the AFC West in the near future.

Cam Ward Compared to Jameis Winston

Ward had a slow start to his college career but took off once he transferred to Washington State. His latest season at Miami was his best yet as he threw 36 touchdowns to just seven interceptions, which is a big reason why he made $2 million in NIL deals this year.

Ian Valentino of The 33rd Team compared Ward to former No. 1 pick Jameis Winson in his scouting report of Ward.

“Ward should be considered a high-ceiling starter at the NFL level,” Crabbs wrote in a Dec. 15 scouting report. “He’s a physically gifted passer with dynamic arm talent and the ability to win outside of structure when the play design breaks down. His discipline as a passer, however, needs added investment and nurturing to find and embrace easy plays to keep his unit on schedule.

“As he matures, his ideal fit feels like a Bruce Arians-style vertical passing offense that cuts the ball loose and encourages the quarterback to aggressively attack defenses into voids further down the field. Offering him more guardrails and a conservative developmental plan with schemed throws via play-action or screen passes could help mitigate his wild side.”

The Winston comp should have teams a bit concerned. While Winston has had some good moments in the NFL, he’s mostly served as a backup in recent years and was recently benched by the Cleveland Browns. Ward needs to have a much better NFL career to warrant being the No. 1 pick.

Should Raiders Hold off on Drafting a QB?

The Raiders picked a bad year to be one of the worst teams in the NFL. The 2025 class of quarterbacks is considered much weaker than last year and may be much weaker than 2026.

If some of the teams at the top of the draft weren’t so desperate for a quarterback, Ward and Sanders would likely be looking at being drafted in the second half of the first round. If the Raiders truly don’t believe that either is worthy of the No. 1 pick, they may have to consider holding off on addressing the quarterback need.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post New Mock Draft Has Raiders Take $2 Million Star Over Shedeur Sanders appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Justin Fields and Russell Wilson are two potential options who are on expiring contracts. Kirk Cousins and Aaron Rodgers are two players who could be released and enter free agency. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Raiders are among the teams who will be looking at free agent quarterback this offseason.

“Teams expected to be in the quarterback market this offseason include the Steelers, Jets, Giants, Raiders, Saints, Browns and Titans,” Schefter wrote in a Dec. 21 column. “As usual, there aren’t enough quarterbacks for everyone.”

Landing a top rookie quarterback isn’t a guarantee, especially if the Raiders don’t end the season with the No. 1 pick. The veteran route hasn’t been working for Las Vegas the last couple of seasons but they may not have another option. This is considered a weak quarterback class so the Raiders could add a veteran, use their first-round pick on a position of need and try and land a rookie quarterback next year.

It’s not ideal but it might be the only play the team has depending on how the draft order falls.

Kirk Cousins Could Be Very Cheap Option

The Raiders may also be able to land a veteran quarterback on the cheap while also drafting a quarterback early. Cousins was recently benched by the Atlanta Falcons and Schefter reported that they will likely release him in the offseason.

As ESPN’s Field Yates pointed out on X, the Falcons are on the hook for $27.5 of Cousins’ contract if they release him. However, some of that money offsets based on the next contract he gets. That means he’ll likely be open to signing for the minimum.

Cousins at $45 million a year is a massive overpay but Cousins at the minimum is a massive steal. That would have to be something for the Raiders to consider. He’d be a big upgrade over Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell but he wouldn’t be hard to bench or cut if they draft a rookie who ends up being better.

Aidan O’Connell to Start vs. Jaguars

O’Connell and the Raiders feared his season would be over after he hurt his knee against the Tamba Bay Buccaneers in Week 14. However, it appears he’ll only end up missing one game. He sat out in Week 15 against the Falcons but is “good to go” for the Week 16 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to head coach Antonio Pierce.

This is good for the Raiders offense as O’Connell has been the team’s best quarterback this season. On the other hand, it’s bad for the team’s chances of getting the No. 1 pick. If he helps lead Las Vegas to win over the Jaguars, they could fall far down the draft board. That would make an addition of a veteran like Cousins much more likely.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Raiders Could Land 4-Time Pro Bowl QB on Massive Discount appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Much of that is due to injury but there have also been some players who have regressed. Safety Marcus Epps had his season end early due to a torn ACL but he was playing poorly before the injury.

The two-year, $12 million contract he signed in 2023 expires after the season, and The Athletic’s Tashan Reed believes the Raiders should let him walk in free agency.

“Marcus Epps was a good starter in 2023, but he sharply regressed in 2024 before suffering a torn ACL early in the season,” Reed wrote in a Dec. 19 column. He’ll be 29 next season. Especially if the Raiders spend big on [Tre’von] Moehrig, it could make sense to go younger and cheaper at the other safety spot.”

Epps has been a team captain and is very good against the run, but his struggles in the passing game make it difficult to rely on him. If the Raiders do look to re-sign him, it would likely be at a discount. He does have value as a team leader and veteran but perhaps the team could bring in a young player with upside as an eventual replacement.

Raiders Urged to Retain Robert Spillane

The Raiders have a number of key players on expiring contracts that they would likely hope to retain. Linebacker Robert Spillane has to be atop the list. The team has had a very hard time finding capable linebackers over the last decade and Spillane is the best one they’ve had in a long time.

Reed believes Las Vegas needs to bring him back.

“Spillane has played at a Pro Bowl level since signing with the Raiders in 2023,” Reed wrote. “He is one of the team’s most influential leaders and should be re-signed in free agency.”

Spillane was top-10 in the NFL in tackles last season and is on pace to do it again this season. He’s also had five interceptions since joining the team. The Raiders should strongly consider giving him a long-term contract before he reaches free agency.

Other Free Agents Raiders Should Retain

Many of the Raiders’ key free agents are on the defensive side of the ball. Cornerback Nate Hobbs, defensive end Malcolm Koonce and safety Tre’von Moehrig are all players who have done enough to earn another contract.

Koonce might be the trickiest as he’s missed the entire 2024 season with an injury. His only productive season was last year so the Raiders may be willing to give him a one-year contract and nothing else. Hobbs is an important piece and is one of the better slot cornerbacks in the NFL when healthy.

Moehrig had a slow start to his career but has come a long way in the last two seasons. He’s cemented himself as a very good safety and considering the Raiders used a second-round pick on him when he was drafted, they may be more inclined to bring him back.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Raiders Told to Let $12 Million Starter Walk in Free Agency appeared first on Heavy Sports.

If the season ended today, the Giants would have the No. 1 pick but based on how the season should end, the Raiders would have the No. 1 pick if they lose out, per Tankathon. There are still several months before the draft but right now, it seems like Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders could be the top quarterback in the class.

However, he’s appeared to have his eyes set on the Raiders for a while now. He’s hinted at interest in Las Vegas and so has his father Deion Sanders, but whether or not he’d be interested in the Giants has been less clear. Now ESPN’s Jordan Raanan has offered some more clarity on where he’d prefer to play.

“Multiple sources close to Shedeur Sanders and the Colorado program believe his preference would be to land in Las Vegas,” Raanan wrote in a Dec. 20 column. “The Raiders and Giants are currently tied with the worst record in the NFL.”

Giants & Raiders Are 2 of NFL’s Most Dysfunctional Franchises

Deion Sanders has said that he would help force his son to certain teams if there was a chance he could go to a city he didn’t want to. It remains to be seen how far he’s willing to take that. The Raiders and Giants have been two of the most dysfunctional franchises in the NFL over the last decade.

Since 2012, both teams have only made it to the playoffs twice. Since Tom Coughlin left the team in 2015, the Giants have had five different head coaches. During that same time, the Raiders have also had five head coaches.

Sanders’ preference for the Raiders could merely be due to the fact that he’d rather be in Las Vegas than New York. It will also be interesting to see if his preferences change if the two franchises decide to make changes at head coach. Sanders may like Antonio Pierce as a head coach but may not like who the Raiders could replace him with.

Cam Ward May Be QB1

There’s a lot of focus on where Sanders will want to play but it’s possible that teams don’t even view him as the top quarterback in the draft. According to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, Miami quarterback Cam Ward may actually be ahead of Sanders on most draft boards.

“Miami’s Cam Ward has the early lead on the race for the draft’s QB1, while Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders will have his supporters among teams,” Howe wrote in a Dec. 20 column. “Sanders will need to nail the interview process to solidify himself in the top two, according to a couple of NFL personnel evaluators.”

Ward is a prospect who has more upside but Sanders appears to be closer to being ready to start in NFL games. Plus, he brings a lot of star power that might help a franchise like the Raiders that is having a hard time building a fan base in Las Vegas.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Shedeur Sanders’ Preference Between Raiders & Giants Revealed: Report appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Unfortunately, things have not gone well with him in the full-time role. The Raiders are 2-12, which is tied for the worst record in the NFL. Five or six wins may have been enough for Pierce to get a pass for this year considering all the injuries but the league’s worst record is hard to overcome.

Owner Mark Davis seemed high on Pierce earlier on the season but was recently non-commital when asked about the coach. According to Bovada’s Josina Anderson, the Raiders are at least starting to consider making a big change at head coach.

“As tough as it is to hear, there are league sources who believe based on their own high-level back-table conversations that the #Raiders are currently entertaining the idea of getting a new head coach, while general manager Tom Telesco is simultaneously separating himself behind the scenes,” Anderson wrote in a recent column.”

“No official determination has been made, but the 15-9 loss to the Atlanta Falcons capping a 10-game losing streak before a national audience on MNF didn’t help this increasing notion.”

Antonio Pierce Dealt a Rough Hand

Not much has gone right for Pierce. The Raiders didn’t give a real starting quarterback and the team has dealt with major injuries to several key starters.

That’s not to mention that Pierce had to deal with star wide receiver Davante Adams requesting a trade. It would’ve been hard for any coach to thrive in this setting.

“In that essence, not only was Pierce doomed to experience more adversity than success, but it may be even unjust to a degree with Davis reportedly admitting that there’s still no ‘mandate’ for Telesco to draft a better quarterback early in the upcoming draft, while acknowledging his club still needs to resolve the position,” Anderson wrote.

“That lack of clarity around the most important person on the field, who touches the ball every possession serves no one—including the other 52 players on the active roster.”

There are plenty of valid excuses that Pierce can make but the one thing that might cause the Raiders to make a change is that his game management has been very poor. His evaluation of coaching talent has also been questionable. Considering he doesn’t call plays, those are the two most important aspects of his job and he’s failed miserably this season.

Pierce Might Need Tom Brady to Save Him

While the Raiders could likely find an upgrade at head coach this offseason, the team has lacked stability for a long time. Also, Tom Brady joined ownership recently and he’s seen first-hand how much success stability can bring.

Anderson believes that Brady might be the one person who can save Pierce’s job.

“That being said, it takes tremendous patience and wisdom to withstand the storms of adversity without bailing before skies clear,” Anderson wrote. “We’ve seen the Detroit Lions benefit from staying the course after starting 3-13 in Dan Campbell’s first season.

“The only thing that may likely salvage this situation is Brady advising Davis not to jump ship too early.”

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Raiders ‘Entertaining’ Idea of Making Major Changes Based on New Leak appeared first on Heavy Sports.

The biggest reason for that has been inconsistent quarterback play as the Raiders have cycled through three different starters this season. Las Vegas holds the No. 1 pick right now, per Tankathon, which they’ll likely use on a quarterback. Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders has been heavily linked to the team and could be the No. 1 pick.

However, the Raiders have limited wide receiver talent right now. Tyler Brooke of The 33rd Team pitched that if the team drafts Sanders, they should trade a third and a fifth-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for star wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

“Sanders has thrived at the college level with the deep ball,” Brooke wrote in a Dec. 18 column. “According to Pro Football Focus, he has thrown 13 touchdowns with zero interceptions for a 133.0 passer rating when throwing 20-plus yards downfield this season. Hill hasn’t had the opportunity to be nearly as consistent as a deep threat this season, with the Dolphins scheme focused on getting the ball out as fast as possible.

“That Sanders-Hill connection could give the Raiders offense some much-needed juice. The Raiders have an extra third-round pick from the Adams trade, so they could afford to give up one of their third-round picks with an extra Day 3 selection on top of it to acquire a star receiver for their likely first-round quarterback.”

Is Tyreek Hill Looking to Be Traded?

Hill is one of the best players in the NFL. He is the only player in NFL history to have a receiving, rushing, kickoff return, punt return, and fumble recovery touchdown. He also led the NFL with 1,799 receiving yards.

He’s very much embraced the Dolphins but things could be starting to sour in Miami. Hill recently posted “It’s time for me to go coach” on X, which many took as him saying he wants to leave Miami.

The Dolphins are having a rough year and Hill recently turned 30. He may want to go play somewhere he has a better chance to win.

Would Hill Want to Go to Raiders?

The idea of the Raiders trading for Hill doesn’t make much sense right now. They just traded away an expensive aging wide receiver in Davante Adams so why would they want to add another one?

That said, if Sanders is the quarterback, he’s going to need wide receiver help. Jakobi Meyers is excellent in the middle of the field and having Hill stretching the field would lead to a lot of big players.

But it’s hard to imagine he’d have a ton of interest in the Raiders. The team hasn’t won a playoff game since 2002 and is tied for the worst record in the NFL. Adding players like Sanders and Hill could supercharge a turnaround but that’s far from a guarantee. At his age, Hill likely would rather play for a team like the Los Angeles Chargers or even go back to the Kansas City Chiefs. If he doesn’t care about winning, he may as well stay in Miami.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Blockbuster Trade Proposal Lands Raiders $90 Million Record-Breaking WR appeared first on Heavy Sports.

It has now been revealed that the injury he suffered was quite serious. The Raiders announced that he’s heading to Injured Reserve with an ankle injury, which will end his season. This is a major disappointment for McCormick as this was the first time he had a chance to be the lead back.

He was playing well enough to where the Raiders may have considered giving him a chance to compete for the starting running back job next season. His injury will only complicate things going forward. The Raiders can’t afford to rely on him to be the starter next season so they will need to address the position in the offseason.

The team could still give McCormick the chance to be back on the roster next offseason but that will also depend on how long it will take him to recover.

Raiders Sign Isaiah Spiller

McCormick is out for the season and he joins Zamir White on the Injured Reserve, who was the Raiders’ Week 1 starter at running back. The team also announced that they’re promoting Chris Collier from the practice squad to the active roster but they also added a notable name.

When general manager Tom Telesco was still with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022, he drafted Isaiah Spiller in the fourth-round. Things didn’t work out in Los Angeles so he was a free agent. The Raiders decided to sign him to the practice squad.

Telesco should have a very good idea of what Spiller can do so he could be a player to watch these last three games. A fourth-round pick is relatively high for a running back so he does have talent. He rushed for nearly 3,000 yards in college and while he’s on the practice squad, he could see some action to close out the season.

Raiders Running Game Continues to Struggle

McCormick’s emergence for the Raiders was a big deal because he was the first player to breath some life into the running game for the offense this season. However, even with his strong play, Las Vegas still had trouble moving the ball on the ground.

The Raiders are only averaging 78.1 rushing yards per game, which is the worst in the NFL. In fact, it’s over 10 fewer yards per game than the second-worst team. Now that McCormick is done for the year, things are likely to only get worse.

Alexander Mattison can make the occasional big play but he is very inconsistent. Ameer Abdullah is a good player but he’s more of a receiver out of the backfield. There will be a golden opportunity for Collier and possibly Spiller. The Raiders are dealing with injuries at quarterback and would love to establish a better run game. Collier and/or Spiller could earn a roster heading into next year if they show some flashes.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Raiders GM Tom Telesco Signs RB He Drafted While With Chargers appeared first on Heavy Sports.

That left just Tyree Wilson, K’Lavon Chaisson and Charles Snowden as the only healthy defensive ends on the active roster. The Raiders needed to add a body before their Week 15 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars and decided to poach a player on another team’s practice squad instead of looking to free agency.

According to a Dec. 18 X post from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Raiders have signed linebacker Andre Carter II off of the Minnesota Vikings‘ practice squad. The 6-foot-6 former Army standout joined the Vikings as an undrafted free agent last year and was active for 12 games last season.

He was mostly a special teams player but hasn’t seen the field this season. The Raiders will likely give him a chance to take a high percentage of defensive snaps amid all of their injury issues. Carter is coming from Brian Flores’ defense, who previously worked with Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham when he was the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. It should be an easy transition for Carter.

K’Lavon Chaisson Stepping Up Amid Injury Issues

The Raiders are out of the playoff race and don’t have much to play for this season. However, there are many players on expiring contracts who can use these final three games to prove they deserve to be brought back next season.

One player who is making a strong case for a contract extension is Chaisson. The former first-round pick didn’t have success with the Jaguars but is starting to make a name for himself in Las Vegas.

He has a career-high 3.0 sacks and even caught his first career interception this season. He admitted that he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder this season.

“One hundred percent. Internally and externally motivated for sure,” Chaisson told Ed Graney of the Las Vegas Review-Journal in a Dec. 13 interview. “Overall, I just believe there is a place I want to be comfortable in when it comes to football production, team production and individual production.”

Tyree Wilson Also Playing Better Football

Wilson was a frustrating player for Raiders fans to watch last year. He missed all of training camp due to a lingering injury from college but as a top-10 pick, many expect him to make some sort of impact as a rookie.

He was mostly a non-factor in his first year and only had 3.5 sacks. This season, he’s already surpassed that total and has 4.0 sacks. With Crosby out, he’s likely to see a lot of snaps over these final three games.

Wilson has a lot to prove. If he plays well, he may earn the starting defensive end spot opposite Crosby next year. Koonce is a free agent and the Raiders may let him walk if they believe Wilson is ready to take a leap. Koonce is a good player but Wilson will likely be a lot cheaper.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Raiders Poach Towering Vikings Pass Rusher to Help Replace Maxx Crosby: Report appeared first on Heavy Sports.

The team is already very thin on the defensive line and it looks like they’re losing another one for the season. According to a Dec. 17 X post from The Athletic’s Vic Tafur, defensive end Janarius Robinson is being suspended by the NFL for three games without pay for violating NFL’s Substances of Abuse Policy.

There aren’t specifics as to what got Robinson suspended but it has to be serious for the NFL to ban him for three games without pay. This leaves just Charles Snowden, K’Lavon Chaisson and Tyree Wilson as the only defensive ends on the active roster.

Robinson showed some promising flashes in the preseason and earned an active roster because of it. However, he wasn’t able to find success this season as he has 0.5 sacks in 10 games played. Considering his lackluster season and suspension, the Raiders may not bring him back next season. Now that they’re going to be missing Robinson, it’s important for the Raiders to add a defensive end or two in free agency.

DE Options for Raiders

Crosby hasn’t been sent to the Injured Reserve yet so once that happens, he’ll open up a roster spot. There are only three games left in the season so Robinson won’t be back unless he’s able to appeal his suspension.

David Agoha is the only defensive end on the Raiders’ practice squad so there’s a good chance he’ll see some action over the final three games. Las Vegas is 2-12 and eliminated from the playoffs so they don’t need to take any big swings at defensive end.

They just need bodies to help finish out the season. At this point in the season, there aren’t many great options in free agency. Randy Gregory is still a free agent and could be one of the better options available. That said, the Raiders may prefer to try out some younger players.

That could lead to them looking at other teams’ practice squads. It’s difficult to know who they might target but they need to add some depth as Snowden, Chaisson and Wilson aren’t enough to finish out the final three games.

Maxx Crosby Gives Injury Update

Prior to this season, Crosby had not missed a single game in his career. He’s played through injuries before so this current ankle injury was quite serious for him to call it a season. He recently gave some insight into his process right now.

“I’m in Charlotte right now, took a red eye last night with my wife, and we’re meeting with Dr. Anderson today, and tomorrow I got surgery,” Crosby said on the Dec. 16 episode of the “Let’s Go!” podcast. “So, yeah, unfortunately versus Tampa got rolled up really bad. It was very similar to the first time it happened, to be honest. But this one ended up being worse.”

“As much as it pains me – I obviously wanna be on the field and wanna be with my teammates and everything like that – it wasn’t meant to be, you know what I mean? You don’t have full control of everything all the time.”

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Raiders Lose 25-Year-Old Vet to Three-Game Suspension appeared first on Heavy Sports.

The Raiders are 2-12 this season and have lost their 10th straight game, which is their longest losing streak since 2014. Monday night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons was very winnable for Las Vegas but in the end, they lost 15-9.

There have been rumors that Pierce could get fired after the season and he has to be feeling the pressure. He was clearly frustrated after the game and went on a passionate.

“Everybody. Coaches, players, staff, organization. I mean, guys are all in,” Pierce said during his postgame press conference. “Listen, man, just we’re not winning. I don’t know what else to tell y’all. We’re not winning. [Expletive], do I want to win? Hell, yeah, I want to win. Do I want to keep sitting here looking at the same [expletive] thing every week, having to same discussion with y’all? No. We got guys that’s battling, it doesn’t matter, next man up, right? You can poke armor, do all this stuff, but these guys are not budging. I’m not budging. We’ll keep chopping wood, and at some point, the [expletive] thing will break and go our way.”

Raiders Players Haven’t Given up on Antonio Pierce

While the Raiders have been eliminated from the playoffs for weeks and have the worst record in the NFL, it’s clear that players haven’t given up yet. They’re doing their best to keep games close, especially on defense.

The players fought for Pierce to keep the head coaching job after last season and they are still playing hard for him. At the end of the day, it’s just not the Raiders’ year.

“It really ain’t about me. It’s about the team,” Pierce said. “This is what we’ve been building on and working on since the offseason. … It’s a blue-collar group; it just hasn’t gone our way, which is now becoming transparent and redundant. But it’s not really about them fighting for me; we’re fighting for one another. … We got the ball with less than two minutes to go out there and, again, win a game.”

Raiders ‘Searching for a Win’

Desmond Ridder had to take over as starting quarterback with Aidan O’Connell injured. Despite playing poorly for most of the game, the Raiders had a chance to win at the end of the fourth quarter.

However, Las Vegas just can’t seem to catch any breaks this season and seemingly forgot how to win. Ridder spoke about how desperate the team is to get back into the win column.

“It’s tough being in the position we are in,” Ridder said after the Falcons loss. “We’re just searching … searching for a win, searching for positive energy. We fight every single week. But we just keep saying that we fight and nothing is happening where we can go push over the edge and get a win.”

The Raiders’ best chance to get another win this season comes on Sunday against a 3-11 Jacksonville Jaguars team.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Raiders HC Antonio Pierce Goes off on Passionate Rant Following Falcons Loss appeared first on Heavy Sports.

It was previously revealed that Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage is set to star in the lead role as Madden and it looks like he’ll have another heavyweight joining him. According to Jeff Sneider of The InSneider, Oscar-winning actor Christian Bale is joining the cast and will be portraying former Raiders owner Al Davis.

The late Davis was one of the most recognizable faces in the NFL for decades prior to his death in 2011. He’s widely considered one of the most influential figures in NFL history. “Madden” is being directed by David O. Russell, who has directed Bale in three different films, including 2011’s “The Fighter,” which saw Bale win his only Oscar for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role.

Bale was also nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in Russell’s 2014 film “American Hustle.” Russell and Bale have been strong collaborators for years now so it’ll be interesting to see what they have planned for the role of Davis.

How Does Al Davis Relate to John Madden’s Story?

Madden is one of the most iconic personalities in football history. While he got his first big job with the Raiders, his story stretches well beyond his years in Oakland.

Details on the “Madden” film are sparse but Bale’s casting as Davis could give some insight. Bale likely wouldn’t be cast in the film if he didn’t have a big role. While Davis and Madden maintained a relationship throughout their lives, this could be a sign that the film will focus on the coach’s early years.

It’s hard to imagine they’d land Bale as Davis and not carve out a big role for him.

More Details on ‘Madden’ Film

The “Madden” film has been described as a “video game movie,” per Sneider, so it’s possible that Davis’ role could actually be small. Considering Bale and Russell’s relationship, they could figure out a way to get him more screen time.

For now, it appears the movie will mostly focus on the creation of the popular “Madden NFL” video game franchise. It also sounds like the film isn’t simply going to be a cash grab to capitalize on Madden’s popularity, per Sneider.

“I have no idea how good this movie’s going to be, but the amount of dedication it’s going to get from both of its lead characters makes me optimistic,” Sneider wrote.

“Madden” has gone through a lot of changes over the past couple of years. Previously, Will Ferrell was set to star in the lead role and so was Hugh Jackman. It appears Cage and Bale are set to star and the film should begin production soon.

This could be a serious Oscar contender when it comes out if they’re able to put the pieces together and Raiders fans should be excited to see some team legends portrayed on the big screen.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Christian Bale Playing Raiders Legend in Upcoming Film: Report appeared first on Heavy Sports.

According to a Dec. 16 X post from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Desmond Ridder is expected to start on Monday against the Atlanta Falcons. It’ll be his first start of the season and it should be a big game for him.

Ridder was drafted by the Falcons in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft and started in 17 games across two seasons with the team. He wasn’t able to play at a high enough level for Atlanta to keep him as the starter and he was cut this last offseason. Ridder’s main issue with the Falcons is that he couldn’t take care of the ball. He had 12 interceptions and 12 fumbles last season.

It would be a big statement for him if he could play a clean game against his former team. A win only hurts the Raiders in this spot as they’d drop to seventh in the draft, per Tankathon, but Ridder has an opportunity to show that the Falcons made a mistake by letting him go.

Falcons Are Prepared for Desmond Ridder

One potential advantage that Ridder has over O’Connell against the Falcons is that he’s very familiar with the team. Though there’s a different head coach in place in Raheem Morris, Ridder knows many of the players.

Morris knows that Ridder is going to be ready to play and he’s making sure his team is ready for the quarterback.

“He’ll be prepared in the right way. He’ll be ready for us,” Morris said, per AtlantaFalcons.com. “A familiar opponent, some people he knows, and I know we’ve got to get ready for him as well. He can run the football, he’s talented, he’s athletic, he’s big, he throws football, did a lot of good things.”

Drake London Excited to Face Former Teammate

One of Ridder’s closest friends on the Falcons is wide receiver Drake London. While the two won’t be directly facing each other as they both play offense, London is excited to see his friend.

“I told him, if I see him before the game, I may have to punch him in the arm or something like that so can’t do nothing against us,” London said. “But no, I’m just happy for him.”

Things didn’t end well for Ridder in Atlanta and London understands the nature of the business. Regardless, he knows the quarterback is fired up to play.

“That’s the brutality of this league,” London said. “You could go from being so high to so low so quick. But the fact that he’s been fighting his way back and he’s on a team right now — I mean, he’s starting on Monday Night Football — I know he’s ecstatic about it and definitely happy where his role is right now. I know he wants more. He wants something that’s solidified for sure.”

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Raiders Starting QB News Leaked Ahead of Falcons Matchup appeared first on Heavy Sports.

It remains to be seen how long he plans to be at North Carolina, but for now, he’s putting together his coaching staff. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Belichick is targeting Las Vegas Raiders interim offensive coordinator Scott Turner for the same position.

Turner didn’t come into the season as an offensive coordinator but was promoted after the Raiders fired Luke Getsy. Prior to joining Las Vegas, he was the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders for three seasons.

Turner has limited success with the Commanders and the Raiders have yet to score 20 or more points since he took over playcalling duties. He does have some experience on the college level as he worked as an offensive analyst at Michigan under Jim Harbaugh in 2017. Working under Belichick could be appealing for Turner, especially if the Raiders don’t plan to keep him in the offensive coordinator role next season. It may be his best chance at calling plays next season.

What About Josh McDaniels?

Many have expected that once Belichick got a head coaching job again, he would reunite with Josh McDaniels. The former New England Patriots offensive coordinator called plays for Belichick for over a decade and the two won six Super Bowls together.

McDaniels decided to leave Belichick to become the head coach of the Raiders in 2022 but that ended in disaster as he was fired before he finished a second season. He’s available right now so it’s odd that Belichick wouldn’t be pushing for him to be his offensive coordinator at North Carolina.

It could be because McDaniels would prefer to stay in the NFL. He only coached one season at the college level when he was a graduate assistant for Michigan State in 1999. He may also want to prove that he can be successful without working under Belichick. Mike Vrabel is likely to get a head coaching job this offseason and he worked with McDaniels for a longtime in New England. He could be waiting to see what Vrabel does as he would be a logical choice as his next offensive coordinator.

Any Chance Turner Retains Raiders OC Job?

The Raiders offense has moved the ball better since Turner took over playcalling. However, the team just isn’t scoring enough points. Considering he didn’t have much success the one time he was a full-time offensive coordinator in the NFL, it’s hard to imagine the Raiders will be eager to bring him back as a playcaller.

Las Vegas is likely to draft a quarterback and they really need a strong offensive coordinator to help develop him. Head coach Antonio Pierce may also be on his way out, which would essentially spell the end for Turner. If Belichick wants to give him the offensive coordinator job at North Carolina, Turner would be wise to consider it.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Bill Belichick Looking to Poach Raiders Coach Over Reunion With Josh McDaniels appeared first on Heavy Sports.

However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter later reported that Crosby may have to get ankle surgery, which would end his season. It appears that the All-Pro has accepted the inevitable. Crosby took to Instagram to address the news and confirmed that he will not be playing the rest of the season. He also gave some insight into what happened.

“Unfortunately, I got chopped blocked from the side and got another one but even worse this time vs. Tampa,” Crosby wrote. “Some people will say that I should just take my time and just relax and get ready for next year, I will never be that person. I have a team around me that made it possible for me to come back and still disrupt even though I truly wasn’t fully healthy all year. I will stand in the fire no matter what the circumstance because this game is my life. If I got a heartbeat, I expect to play for the fans that spend their hard earned money to watch me perform and wear my jersey every Sunday. I do it because it means everything to me and I will never change my approach to this game.”

He also made it clear that he’s going to come back with a vengeance next season.

“Although I can’t understand why this is happening, I truly believe everything happens for a reason,” Crosby added. “I can feel bad for myself and make excuses but I [expletive] refuse. I will get this surgery & be on a war path for greatness everyday and be back the best version of myself. I truly believe In my soul that I’m changing the game one snap at a time and changing the way this position is viewed. If you don’t believe me, if you have doubts, if you think I need to chill, GOOD… just WATCH ME.”

Maxx Crosby Hadn’t Missed a Game Before This Season

This is uncharted territory for Crosby. Prior to this season, the defensive end hadn’t even missed a game. He couldn’t play a game earlier in the season against the Cleveland Browns and that was a big deal.

The fact that he’s going to miss the final four games of the season indicates that the injury is very serious. This is a disappointing end to a disappointing season for Crosby but he remains one of the best defensive players in the NFL when healthy. Considering the Raiders are tied for the worst record in the NFL, it’s better that he uses this extra time to recover so he can be at full strength next season.

DL Injuries Have Devastated Raiders

The strength of the Raiders’ defense this season was supposed to be the defensive line. That derailed quickly as starting defensive end Malcolm Koonce suffered a season-ending injury prior to Week 1 and star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins played five games before heading to Injured Reserve.

That’s three starting defensive linemen that the Raiders have lost to season-ending injuries so it’s easy to understand why this season went off the rails for the team.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Raiders DE Maxx Crosby Breaks Silence on Injury News With Stern Message appeared first on Heavy Sports.

At the time, Crosby was dealing with an ankle injury, and the team did not officially rule him out until 90 minutes before the game started. Crosby did his best to suit up for the contest, but ultimately, the pain was too much and with the year still young, it seemed wasteful to put him at risk for further injury.

Now, it’s Week 15 and the Raiders are trudging through what is already a lost year. And for just the second time in his career, Crosby will not play. This time the team is putting out plenty of advance notice, as the Raiders are not slated to take the field until Monday night, when they will play the Falcons.

The Raiders announced on Saturday afternoon that Crosby will not play.

It got worse from there, too, as Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Crosby might be done for the year, writing on Twitter/X: “Raiders three-time Pro Bowl DE Maxx Crosby, who already has been ruled out for Monday night’s game vs. the Falcons due to his ankle injury, is expected to undergo arthroscopic ankle surgery that likely will end his 2024 season, league sources told ESPN.”

Maxx Crosby Rumored to Have a Rift With Antonio Pierce Amid Injury

The last time that Crosby sat out, he did not show up to the game, which fueled speculation that there was conflict between him and coach Antonio Pierce. That speculation stemmed from former Browns general manager Mike Lombardi, who suggested that Crosby not showing up for the game hinted at a “disconnect” between the star and his coach.

Crosby later refuted that in an interview with Eddie Gonzalez of Complex.

“It’s been dope,” Crosby said of Pierce as coach. “Me and AP have a great relationship. He’s real. Everybody feels that energy. He doesn’t play games. It’s black and white and that’s how you create a great culture and it’s player driven. At the end of the day, the coaches, they steer the ship, but the players drive that thing. It’s a big difference. And he believes in us. We believe in him, and that’s really all we’re focused on. It’s just finding ways to improve and win.

“It doesn’t matter what everybody else has to say, they can say whatever they want, but at the end you’re going to know who the real fakers are, who the real ones are, and we’re just trying to put our team in a position to have a chance when it really matters. So I think is doing AP great job.”

Raiders Could Start Desmond Ridder

In addition to the issue with Crosby and his persistent high-ankle sprain, the Raiders are also not sure what they will have at quarterback on Monday. The team has not ruled out Aidan O’Connell yet, but the knee injury he suffered last week against the Buccaneers remains a concern.

O’Connell did not practice this week and is listed as questionable.

“I can obviously walk and move around and just obviously doing some stuff in the water, but trying to get on the field and move around today, which I did,” O’Connell said this week. “So just trying to progress and trusting the training staff to get me where I want to be.”

If O’Connell can’t go, the Raiders will start Desmond Ridder, who was a starter for the Falcons last year.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Raiders Issue Rare Maxx Crosby Announcement Ahead of ‘Monday Night Football’ appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Miami’s Cam Ward is a Heisman Trophy finalist and has a chance to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Based on the teams at the top of the draft that need a quarterback, Ward could realistically land with the Raiders or the New York Giants.

He was asked about the possibility of joining either of those franchises and he’s just happy to be considered.

“It’s a blessing, especially to be in this position,” Ward said on the Dec. 14 episode of ESPN’s “SportsCenter.” “The journey I had to solidify myself as one of the best quarterbacks in college to potentially get to [the] NFL. I mean, it’s all God. I mean, the teammates that I have around me, they help me put myself in this position. We all made plays, so, you know, me projected to go that high, it’s something that I don’t take lightly. I have, you know, just a chip on my shoulder, you know, that’ll never leave.”

Is Cam Ward Worth the No. 1 Pick?

There’s a lot to like about Ward’s game. He might have the best arm talent in the entire draft. However, he can be a little bit sloppy with the football and has thrown 23 interceptions combined in the last three seasons.

Despite that, he’s a talent prospect that will have a lot of teams intrigued. Bleacher Report had a lot of good things to say about Ward in their scouting report on the quarterback.

“Cam Ward is among the most gifted throwers in the NFL draft class,” The BR NFL Scouting Department wrote. “The combination of arm talent, mobility/athleticism, and accuracy is growing among NFL scouts. He is comfortable using hard counts to force the defense out of their disguises, then set the protection to pick up any indicating extra rushers from the second or third levels of the defense. He has superstar potential if he can cut down on mistakes/risky decisions.”

One potential knock on Ward is that he is a bit older and will be 23 by the time his rookie season starts.

Ward or Shedeur Sanders?

If the Raiders end up with the No. 1 pick, they could have a big decision to make if they’re set on a quarterback. Ward and Sanders appear to be the only realistic options with the No. 1 pick. Ward is more athletic and has better arm talent but he’s less polished.

Sanders is a pure pocket passer and is considered to be the most pro-ready quarterback in the draft. There’s more projection with Ward but his ceiling is undeniably higher. The Raiders may end up preferring Sanders as they can’t afford to take a big swing at quarterback. They have some solid pieces on the roster and they just need a quarterback who can get their playmakers the ball. Ward could be a star but he could also be a bust. Sanders feels like more of a sure bet due to the fact that he’s playing a pro-style offense and thriving at Colorado.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Miami QB Cam Ward Has Strong Response to Possible Raiders Interest appeared first on Heavy Sports.

However, this is considered a weaker quarterback class and the Raiders could get cold feet about using a top-five pick on one of the prospects. Instead, they could target a generational talent who could potentially help fill two needs.

In his latest Raiders mock draft, Gordon McGuinness of Pro Football Focus projects the team to select Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter.

“The Raiders have an obvious need at quarterback, but I think Hunter is too good a prospect to pass up if you have the top selection in the draft,” McGuinness wrote in a Dec. 10 column. “He has earned an 88.3 PFF receiving grade and a 90.9 PFF coverage grade and has a shot to at least play a bit on both sides of the ball at the next level.”

It remains to be seen if Hunter will be able to play on both sides of the ball the way he has in college. If he can, the Raiders would get a shutdown cornerback and a very good wide receiver in the process. That would certainly have to appeal to Las Vegas, especially if they don’t love the quarterback prospects.

Drew Allar to Raiders?

Even if the Raiders don’t take a quarterback with their top pick, they need to leave the draft with at least one appealing player at the position. Perhaps the most intriguing Day 2 prospect is Penn State quarterback Drew Allar.

That’s who McGuinness projects Las Vegas to take with their second pick in the third round.

“If the Raiders do indeed pass on a quarterback with the first overall selection, then they should still look to leave Day 2 of the draft with a developmental option,” McGuinness wrote. “Allar has been smart with the football throughout his Penn State career, with a turnover-worthy play on just 1.1% of his dropbacks.”

Allar Has Been Compared to Josh Allen

As far as Day 2 quarterbacks go, Allar could be the most appealing in the draft. He’s big at 6-foot-5 and has a huge arm. In fact, he’s drawn comparisons to Buffalo Bills star quarterback Josh Allen, per Kyle Crabbs of The 33rd Team.

“One of Allar’s challenges as a passer is simply getting him on the ground,” Crabbs wrote in a Dec. 1 column. “This is not a quick-twitch athlete within the pocket, but his ability to slide and shrug off defenders who get free runs at his throwing platform has echoes of Big Ben and Josh Allen, along with the big arm.”

Teams have been burned drafting quarterbacks compared to Allen in recent years but a third-round pick isn’t a big risk. Taking Allar in the first round would be very questionable but taking him on Day 2 would alleviate a lot of potential pressure and give him time to develop. That said, the Raiders need to feel good about their offensive coaching staff if they’re going to take on a massive project like Allar.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Raiders Predicted to Pair Generational Superstar With QB Compared to Josh Allen appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Recently, Shedeur Sanders stirred some more speculation about his Raiders interest after he posted a picture of Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas with the caption “legendary” on Instagram. Sanders didn’t give much context as to why he posted that until his teammate confronted him on a podcast.

Two-way superstar Travis Hunter had Sanders on “The Travis Hunter Show” recently and posed a question to the quarterback.

“I got a few questions related to Las Vegas … You know what I’m talkin’ about, bro, what you posted on your story. Why you posting that, bro?” Hunter asked Sanders.

“Because it’s a nice stadium, bro,” Sanders replied.

“OK, OK,” Hunter said. “You’re right it’s a nice stadium, it is a nice stadium.”

If anybody knows where Sanders wants to play, it’s Hunter. The two have been teammates for the last three years and have become very close. He’s clearly having some fun with his quarterback but it’s interesting that Sanders didn’t have a more thought-out response to the question of why he made that post.

Raiders Almost Certainly Will Draft a QB

The Raiders are unfortunate to be in the AFC West. Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL, Justin Herbert is arguably among the top five and Bo Nix could be the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The Raiders won’t be able to get far with stopgap options at quarterback. Even if they don’t love any of the prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft class, they have to take a prospect at some point who has upside.

Sanders will be a first-round pick and might be the first player selected. However, he’s not considered a generational prospect. It may be a reach to take him with such a high pick. That’s likely the only thing that would give the Raiders cold feet about drafting him. Regardless, they will almost certainly leave the 2025 NFL Draft with a rookie quarterback at some point.

Sanders Could Be a Week 1 Starter

One major thing about Sanders that should appeal to the Raiders is that he’s a pro-style quarterback. He’s been working with former Cleveland Browns and New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur for the last two years, which has helped hone his skill.

Sanders is a pocket passer who is very accurate. He doesn’t have the athleticism that we’ve seen from recent No. 1 picks like Caleb Williams, Kyler Murray and Trevor Lawrence but he’s not a poor athlete.

Miami’s Cam Ward is considered the second-best quarterback prospect in the draft but he may need some time to develop. That’s time the Raiders don’t really have unless they’re willing to be patient.

If Las Vegas sticks with Pierce as head coach, the chances of them taking Sanders only get higher. He can’t afford another bad season and knows he needs a quarterback he can win with immediately.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Travis Hunter Confronts Shedeur Sanders About Latest Raiders Post appeared first on Heavy Sports.

What works against Pierce is that there are some very good head coaching candidates this offseason, especially one who has a close relationship with new Raiders part owner Tom Brady. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler expects former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel to get a lot of interest this offseason and Las Vegas would be a team to keep an eye on if that job opens up.

“Some around the league have noted the Cowboys as a natural fit,” Fowler wrote in a Dec. 11 column. “They valued experience and pedigree with their last hire in Mike McCarthy and could lean that way again, if they decide to make a change at all. The Raiders make a lot of sense, should that job open. I don’t necessarily see the Saints or Jets as the play, though it’s early. Jacksonville feels like a possibility, too.”

In six years with Tennessee, Vrabel had a 54-45 record and led the team to the best record in the AFC in 2021. He was surprisingly fired last offseason but will almost certainly be a head coach again in 2025.

Nobody Knows Antonio Pierce’s Status

The Raiders aren’t saying much about Pierce’s status. It’s rare for teams to fire head coaches after one season, especially when they haven’t been involved in a major controversy.

According to Fowler, nobody around the NFL really has a good grasp on what the Raiders will do with Pierce.

“Sources I’ve talked to are torn on the Raiders,” Fowler wrote. “There is a feeling in some league circles that the job could come open, in part because the team cut a shorter-term deal with Pierce, their once-interim coach. And the Raiders need updates to several parts of their football operation. But Pierce inherited one of the league’s worst quarterback situations and suffered a rash of injuries, so a one-and-done would be severe.”

Mike Vrabel Most Hyped Candidate

If the Raiders feel like they can get Vrabel, they have to strongly consider moving on from Pierce. According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Vrabel might be the top head coaching candidate for many teams this offseason.

“For now, the former player-turned-coach getting the most hype around the league is former Titans head coach and current Browns consultant Mike Vrabel,” Russini wrote in a Nov. 16 column. “As owners look around at the league’s successful head coaches, the culture-builders stand out (think Dan Campbell, Mike Tomlin and Raheem Morris). Vrabel fits into that category, a former player who can unite a locker room while holding his players accountable. Vrabel was a finalist for the Chargers and Falcons jobs last year. He wants to coach in 2025 and I expect him to have his pick of available jobs.”

Vrabel is well-regarded around the NFL and landing a coach of the status would make sense for the Raiders. They are in the AFC West which has three of the best head coaches in the NFL in Andy Reid, Jim Harbaugh and Sean Payton. Even if Pierce can improve as he gets more experience, the Raiders are going to be at a major coaching disadvantage for at least the next few years.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Raiders ‘Make a Lot of Sense’ for Highly-Touted HC as Antonio Pierce Replacement appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Pierce’s status has come into question. Owner Mark Davis doesn’t want to go through yet another head coaching search but isn’t going to double down on Pierce if he’s not the right fit. Davis has some interesting comments about the coach’s future.

“I don’t even want to talk about that right now,” Davis said of Pierce’s future at the NFL owners’ meetings, via Tashan Reed of The Athletic. “We’re still playing through the season.”

That’s not exactly a vote of confidence from the owner. While it’s clear that Davis is going to keep his options open, he did have some good things to say about Pierce.

“The one thing that this team has done is they’ve fought hard,” Davis said. “In every game, they’re fighting hard. That’s something that you don’t find all the time when things aren’t as good as you want them to be. That’s a positive, the way that this team has responded.”

Mark Davis Disappointed in the Season

Since Davis took over the Raiders in 2011, the team has been to the playoffs just twice and hasn’t won any playoff games. He’s taken a lot of big swings trying to get the team going in the right direction but now they might be worse than they ever have been during his time as owner.

He made it clear that he’s not thrilled with how this season has gone.

“I’m very disappointed, obviously. I want to see progress,” Davis said. “There’s no excuses. We have injuries and all of those things, but your team has to figure out how to get around those issues. The bottom line … is it comes down to me. And, if there’s going to be a finger pointed, it should be at me because, again, I’m the one who’s hiring the people who make the decisions on the field.

“There’s a misconception that I’m making a lot of decisions on the football field, but I continue to tell y’all that I don’t. I delegate to the people who I hire. I give them goals. And then I get out of the way and let them try to do it and let the results speak for themselves. At this point, obviously, we’re not happy, but you have to go through the season and then we’ll re-evaluate. Right now, I’m not in that position of evaluating anything going forward.”

Davis Talks Tom Telesco & Need for QB

While Pierce could be on the hot seat, general manager Tom Telesco’s status is less clear. That said, Davis said that they will be evaluated on an individual basis.

“They didn’t come in as a team,” Davis said. “They are individuals.”

One thing that Davis said may indicate that there’s no plan to move on from Telesco yet. When asked about the team’s plans at quarterback, he directed the media to the general manager.

“You’d have to talk to Tom Telesco,” Davis said. “And, of course, Tom Brady at some point will have something to say on that.”

It seems like Telesco has a more secure job right now than Pierce based on Davis’ comments.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Raiders Owner Mark Davis Has Strong Words for Antonio Pierce & Tom Telesco appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Aidan O’Connell has been better but he’s now got a bone bruise in his knee and doesn’t have much upside. Perhaps the biggest surprise in the NFL this season has been the ascendance of Sam Darnold.

The former first-round pick has bounced around the NFL in recent years and hasn’t been able to play at a high enough level to be a consistent starter. However, joining the Minnesota Vikings in the offseason was the best move he’s ever made.

He’s currently tied for third in the NFL with 28 touchdown passes and has helped the Vikings to an 11-2 record. The problem facing Minnesota is that they only gave him a one-year deal so he’ll be a free agent. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report listed the Raiders as a fit for Darnold in free agency.

“The Raiders have $112.1 million in projected 2025 cap space and could make a serious push for Darnold if they so choose,” Knox wrote in a Dec. 11 column. “They could also provide him with a pair of quality pass-catchers in Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers.

“While Las Vegas’ supporting cast isn’t as impressive as what Darnold has in Minnesota—a group headlined by Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson—it has a solid foundation and the financial flexibility to improve quickly.”

Sam Darnold Looking at $100 Million Contract?

Darnold has been in the NFL for seven years now but he’s still only 27. In fact, he’s only a year older than O’Connell, who is just in his second year. Considering that he’s young and having a breakout season, it’s possible that Darnold is going to get a massive contract in the offseason.

FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz could see him getting a contract similar to that of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.

“I think it’s going to be extremely difficult for Minnesota to retain him because of the year he’s had,” Schultz said on the Dec. 7 episode of “The Herd.” “In my opinion, he’s probably going to garner somewhere along the lines of what Baker Mayfield got: Three years, $100 million, which is probably fair, considering his age. He’s still pretty young, and because of what he’s shown on tape this year.”

$100 million is a steep price to pay but Darnold has to take advantage of his value being higher than ever.

Rookie QB or Veteran?

The Raiders aren’t in a great positon to spend big money on a quarterback. The thing that’s nice about taking a quarterback in the first round is that they’d have him on a cost-effective contract for at least five years.

Las Vegas has a lot of needs beyond quarterback so it makes more sense to build around a young and cheap player. Darnold may also prefer to go to a team that is more stable considering he spent the first portion of his career playing for unstable franchises.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Raiders Named Fit for 28-TD QB Who Is Projected to Make $100 Million appeared first on Heavy Sports.