Las Vegas Raiders: Why Jarrett Stidham is a priority this offseason
By Brad Weiss
The release of quarterback Derek Carr was made official on Tuesday, and now, the Las Vegas Raiders must make his 2022 backup a priority.
On Tuesday, the clock finally ran out on the Derek Carr era with the Raiders franchise, as the team let him know he would be released. That release happened just hours before his contract for 2023 became guaranteed, a $40.4 million contract that would have ensured he would be the starting quarterback for the team for a tenth straight season.
Now, Las Vegas has to figure out who the man that replaces him will be, and there is already quite a list of signal-callers. First, it was Tom Brady, a notion that went out the window when he retired, and then, it was Aaron Rodgers, who is on a four-day darkness retreat to figure out his future in the game.
Outside of those two, who would have been the only upgrade from Carr, players like Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacoby Brissett, or even a rookie could take over in 2023. If that is the case, a priority must be placed on Jarrett Stidham, who would end up being the team’s only real chance at a winner in 2023.
Stidham is used to Josh McDaniels offense, played well in it when starting last season, and could come at a low price tag. Garoppolo is also familiar with the system, but it is all Stidham has known throughout his career, making him a key offseason signing now that he is entering free agency.
Will the Raiders really upgrade at QB in 2023?
So what happens if Rodgers emerges from his retreat and wants to go back to Green Bay, or even yet, retire. What happens if he wants to go to New York instead of Las Vegas in free agency if he wants to move on from the Packers, and the Raiders are left with Jimmy G as the starter in 2023.
That would signal a real failure by this organization, giving away a Pro Bowl quarterback and downgrading at the position after failing to make the playoffs after inheriting a playoff roster.
Time will tell what is going to go on at the position group, but one thing is for sure, Carr is gone, and we can finally put all the speculation surrounding him to rest. Maybe Rodgers does come to the desert, and maybe McDaniels and the Raiders win in 2023, but for now, there is a gaping hole at the most important position in sports.