It doesn’t seem that the Las Vegas Raiders have their franchise quarterback on the roster. Las Vegas Raiders don't have their main quarterback yet. Gardner Minshew is on a two-year contract and Aidan O’Connell was a fourth-round pick last year.
The team wanted to pick a quarterback early this year but that didn’t happen. Because they couldn’t find a possible franchise quarterback, the Raiders chose to focus on offense by using their first three draft picks on a tight end and two offensive linemen.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is in the final year of his contract and there’s a chance he may not sign an extension. If he becomes a free agent, there will be many teams competing for his services. Pro Football Focus and The 33rd Team’s Marcus Mosher suggested that the Raiders would be an attractive destination for Prescott if he leaves the Cowboys in a May 7 X post.
Prescott had an impressive season in the NFL as he finished second in MVP voting. However, the Cowboys could have significant salary cap problems and may decide it’s better to start over at quarterback than to give Prescott a record-setting contract. If that happens, the Raiders would have to be one of the teams he’d consider.
PFF Details How Las Vegas Raiders Are Setup for QB
The Raiders have been in a difficult situation at quarterback since Derek Carr was benched during the 2022 season. Finding a franchise quarterback is never easy and it’s proving especially difficult for Las Vegas.
While they try to remain patient regarding the future at quarterback, Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus explained why the Raiders have prepared well for their next quarterback.
“Either Gardner Minshew or Aidan O’Connell is going to enjoy throwing to former Georgia Bulldog Brock Bowers,” Wasserman stated in a May 6 column. “The two-time John Mackey Award winner is one of the best college tight ends of all time. His ability after catching the ball is similar to George Kittle. He could quickly team up with Michael Mayer to create one of the top tight end duos in the NFL.
“Las Vegas also needed help on the offensive line. Second-round pick Jackson Powers-Johnson should start immediately at right guard. He was college football’s best center last season, but he also brings ample guard experience and is an excellent pass protector regardless of where he plays. The Raiders will find a franchise quarterback sometime in the future, but they did a great job adding talent elsewhere early in this year’s draft.”
While star wide receiver Davnate Adams is getting older, the Raiders offense is filled with young and up-and-coming talent.
How Much Money Is Dak Prescott Going to Command?
The main problem with a potential Prescott acquisition is how much money he’s going to demand. Pro Football Focus estimates the quarterback’s market value to be at four years and $203.5 million. That might even be on the low side as Prescott could want to be the first quarterback to make $60 million a year. Spotrac Now, Prescott has a career playoff record of 2-5. His performance in the postseason has always been the biggest criticism against him. If he performs poorly in the playoffs this year, it’s hard to imagine any team would want to pay him $60 million a year.
The Raiders have only made it to the playoffs twice since 2002, so they would probably be pleased just to be in the postseason. However, it would only be logical to hire Prescott if the cost was a bit more affordable.
The Las Vegas Raiders might not currently have a franchise quarterback on the roster, but they are well prepared for one in the future.
