The Las Vegas Raiders have a murky QB situation. Before the 2024 NFL Draft, many experts expected the Raiders to be in play for one of the top six QBs in the draft. Las Vegas picked at 13th overall and were unlucky to find that six QBs went in the top 12, setting a new NFL record. The Raiders were forced to pivot and ultimately decided to select Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. Las Vegas Raiders GM Tom Telesco has been peppered with questions about the team's QB situation and recently shared his thoughts on the matter.
Telesco appeared on NFL Total Access on Thursday and spoke on the Raiders QB situation.
“That's the plan is to have both those guys really compete through the offseason program, but more so in training camp, and we'll see how it plays out,” Telesco said.
“I thought Aidan did an excellent job last year in a really difficult situation where the head coach changed, the coordinator changed, and he played really good football down the stretch,” Telesco continued. “I've had a chance to be around him a little bit more in the building and you kind of see the quarterback intangibles that are there, which is nice to have, that you have to have as a franchise quarterback.”
O'Connell flashed potential in limited action in 2023, but he hardly looks like a franchise guy.
“And then with Gardner, you know, Gardner played well last year with the Colts. I mean, he was in the Pro Bowl, so obviously had a pretty good year. He's always performed at a high level when he's given that opportunity, so to have both those guys here competing for the job, we'll see how it goes.”
What will the Raiders look like in their first full season under head coach Antonio Pierce?
Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce stepped in as interim head coach in 2023 after Josh McDaniels was fired in early November. Pierce led the Raiders to an 8-9 finish and 2nd place finish in the AFC West.
What will the team look like in Pierce's first full season with the team?
The Raiders have made some solid moves this offseason. During free agency, Las Vegas added talent on offense in RB Alexander Mattison and center Andre James. Their splashiest free agent signing was Christian Wilkins. The Raiders handed the star defensive tackle a four-year $110 million contract. Wilkins could be a force multiplier for Vegas' defensive line which already boasts a superstar defensive end in Maxx Crosby.
Adding Bowers in the draft adds even more firepower to the offense.
Bowers joins Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Michael Mayer, and Zamir White as the core of the Raiders' skill position talent. The offensive line is becoming a strength with rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson plugging in at right guard and multiple starters returning.
The Raiders will have a chance to exceed expectations in 2024 as long as Pierce and his staff put their most talented players in positions to succeed.
Sportsbooks do not have high expectations for the Raiders, perhaps because of the question marks at QB. Multiple sportsbooks have the Raiders' current over/under win total for 2024 at 6.5 wins.
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