Silver And Black Pride
Writers around the league are focusing on the offseason in Las Vegas during the final month and a half of the campaign
We’ve got six games left for the Las Vegas Raiders’ 2024 season and it feels like the team has more questions now than when the campaign started. To no surprise, the 2-9 club ranks toward the bottom of every NFL power ranking heading into Week 13 as the focus is on the quarterback situation and thus, the NFL Draft.
30. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 27
Gardner Minshew will miss the remainder of the season with a broken collarbone, so the Raiders must turn to Desmond Ridder or Aidan O’Connell for the remainder of the season.
The Athletic’s Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed believe O’Connell will reclaim the starting position after returning from injured reserve. In Week 7, O’Connell fractured his thumb, but he likely would’ve been starting at this point of the campaign if not for his injury. Before Minshew broke his collarbone, the Raiders benched him three times. Yet regardless of who starts under center for the Raiders, they’re headed toward a four-win season at best. — Moe Moton
Tafur noted that O’Connell is expected to start on Tuesday morning. So, similar to last year, he’ll likely get the next six weeks to prove himself as the team’s starting quarterback moving forward. Those odds are slim but if O’Connell can play well enough to win a few more games, he could take the Raiders out of range for drafting one of the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft class...like last year...
30. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 29
Best-case scenario: The No. 1 draft pick
If the season ended today, Las Vegas would pick No. 3, but the Raiders are closing in on the top spot fast. Las Vegas lost its seventh straight Sunday and lost starting quarterback Gardner Minshew for the season. This isn’t the draft to be in the quarterback market, according to most experts, but having the first shot to draft one still is the best option for the Raiders. — Josh Kendall
While the coaching staff, locker room and some fans may hate the idea of tanking, it’s probably what’s best for the Silver and Black moving forward. Winning meaningless games would just make finding a new QB more difficult and Las Vegas has a chance to win the No. 1 overall pick by losing to Jacksonville in Week 16. Albeit, the New York Giants factor into the equation as well.
32. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 31
I think it’s about time Mark Davis comes out and starts to discuss the offseason plan here. What is Tom Brady’s level of involvement? (I have heard one thing and have read reports to the contrary). Is the plan to bring back Antonio Pierce? Asserting that...
