The Las Vegas Raiders are leaving no stone unturned in their search for a franchise quarterback this offseason. With a new regime, led by general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll, the team is casting a wide net across free agency, the draft, and even internal options.
Spytek made it clear at the NFL Combine that the Raiders prioritize competition in the QB room and are willing to explore all avenues to find the right leader. Las Vegas has a pivotal decision ahead of it, from evaluating top draft prospects to assessing veteran signal-callers.
Raiders QB Search: GM To Take ‘Any Avenue’ in Hunt for Franchise Leader
Spytek is on a mission to get the quarterback pick right and is willing to pursue “any avenue” to find him.
“I mean, not to be kind of the cliché here, but any avenue where we can find a quarterback we’re going to explore,” Spytek told the media during the NFL Combine.
“So, obviously, there’s free agents. We have some guys in the building that we want to give a chance to compete. And working with coach [Pete Carroll] and with Chip [Kelly] and Olie [Greg Olson] and the whole offensive staff, we’re just going to try to find as many guys as we can to load that room up and have a great competition there.”
New #Raiders GM John Spytek took some many QB questions! Says they’ll pursue “any avenue” to get QB right. Talked thru guys on the roster and some top options in the class at #NFLCombine @AtoZSportsNFL pic.twitter.com/NBC0lLGeFe
— Travis May (@FF_TravisM) February 25, 2025
Among the “guys in the building” that Spytek would like to see compete are Gardner Minshew II, Aidan O’Connell, Desmond Ridder, and Carter Bradley, who are the current QBs on Las Vegas’ depth chart.
Raiders Evaluating Top QBs, Including Cam Ward, Will Howard
As the Raiders assess their quarterback options, Spytek keeps a close eye on players who have proven their resilience and adaptability at the collegiate level. These qualities could play a crucial role in their decision.
With the rise of the transfer portal, prospects like Cam Ward and Will Howard have showcased their ability to succeed in different systems, making them intriguing options for Las Vegas.
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“Got a lot of guys that have played a lot of good football, some guys that have been through some adversity. The transfer portal is becoming more common. You’ve got Cam Ward and Will Howard and a bunch of these guys that have kind of showed different levels of success at different places,” Spytek said.
“And they’ve all kind of risen to the challenge and made some programs, I think, that maybe haven’t had the success recently — Colorado, Miami — that they are accustomed to having. And so I think you got to give your credit to those guys for being a part of that and doing that.”
Raiders GM Spytek when speaking on drafting QBs.
“We get a lil bit caught up on how far they can throw it as opposed to how they process it how they think it and how they lead it”
Well said 💯 #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/O72LXBuqG4
— BGZA (@BGZA_) February 25, 2025
Spytek is eager to get to know the Raiders’ prospects better, emphasizing the importance of looking beyond the physical to the mental.
“I’m looking forward to talking with a bunch of them this week and getting to know them better. I haven’t had chance to spend any time with any of them. To me, that’s a hugely important part, maybe the most important part, especially at quarterback. We get a little bit caught up on how far they can throw it as opposed to how they think it and how they process it and how they lead it.”
Raiders Could Pull the Trigger on Shedeur Sanders at No. 6 in NFL Draft
If Sanders falls to No. 6 in the NFL Draft, it’s difficult to see the Raiders passing on him. PFSN NFL Draft analyst Owain Jones predicts Las Vegas to do exactly that.
“Shedeur Sanders has a pro-ready skill set but doesn’t offer the sky-high ceiling that others do,” Jones wrote in PFSN’s Feb. 25 2025 NFL mock draft. “The steady Colorado passer has great accuracy, processing, and pace control to be a game manager in the NFL.”
Jones has Ward going off the board to the New York Giants at No. 3.
Much like in 2023 with Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, fans will have to wait to see how the Ward vs. Sanders game plays out.