Raiders Find Possible Season-Opening Starter In Gardner Minshew But Not A Franchise QB
The Las Vegas Raiders needed a franchise quarterback Monday when the NFL's free agency negotiating period began at noon, and within a few hours they had struck a deal with veteran Gardner Minshew.
That's fast work. But that's just activity and not achievement.
Because the Raiders should know they still need a franchise quarterback.
Justin Fields doesn't love Chicago weather. (Credit: Getty Images)
Is Justin Fields Really A Raiders Option?
The club also has been "kicking the tires" on making a trade for Chicago's Justin Fields, according to The Athletic. Fields, who is on the trade block because the Bears will be selecting Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick in next month's NFL draft, may or may not be traded to the Raiders.
But even if it happens, the Raiders will still need a franchise quarterback.
Because adding a failed project quarterback on an expiring contract sounds good in the abstract. But there's a tangible reason Raiders offensive coordinator Luke Getsy got fired as the Bears offensive coordinator after two years coaching Fields.
The bottom line here, folks, is the Raiders are doing a lot of looking for a franchise quarterback and so far finding no one.
That's not new for this franchise. The Raiders thought Derek Carr was a franchise quarterback. And then they didn't. They thought Jimmy Garoppolo might be the guy. And then they benched him in the same year they signed him and will be releasing him this offseason.
Washington Huskies QB Michael Penix Jr. passes against the Colorado Buffaloes at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Raiders Should Draft Their QB
The Raiders have what you might call an exigent need at the sport's most important position. But they've found no one so far to fill the void.
Can anyone say draft?
The Raiders have the No. 13 overall selection in the first round of the coming draft. Note to general manager Tom Telesco: Study the quarterback class, get a conviction on somebody who won't be picked at the top of the draft, and pick that guy.
Pick J.J. McCarthy or Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix or anyone else you believe in.
Get somebody who can maybe be your guy for the future. Because right now, the situation seems bleak.
That's not a negative commentary on Minshew. The Raiders have agreed to give him a two-year contract worth $25 million with $15 million fully guaranteed.
So the Raiders love Minshew to a degree. Fact is everybody loves Minshew to a degree. They love his fanciful lifestyle, which sometimes includes living in a camper bus. They love his mustache and the personality that comes with it.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 04: Gardner Minshew #10 of the Indianapolis Colts and AFC celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl at Camping World Stadium on February 04, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Minshew Is Fine In Small Dose
The whole Minshewmania experience is cool.
But the dude isn't a franchise quarterback.
This is a bridge QB signing – someone to get the Raiders to their real guy.
That's how it's been with Minshew at his previous two teams – Indianapolis in 2023 and Philadelphia before that – the last two years. They went through the experience and saw its highs and lows:
They saw Minshew enter the lineup and fire up the huddle. And the crowd. And produce some magic moments.
But they also saw Minshew's inconsistent accuracy. And often puzzling decision-making.
The Raiders will see the same. They may have just added their starting quarterback for the 2024 season opener. But, if they're wise, they're not expecting him to be the guy by the time the season ends.
That guy should be the rookie they pluck out of the first round of the NFL draft.
Otherwise, we're going to be right here in this same space next year, having wasted the season, and still discussing the Raiders and their search for a franchise quarterback.