The Las Vegas Raiders have a gaping hole at quarterback, but would it be best filled by Jacoby Brissett over Jimmy Garoppolo in free agency?
The Derek Carr era with the Raiders franchise is officially over, as the nine-year veteran was granted his release on Valentine’s Day. For Carr, his search for a new home has gotten off to a fast start, as he has visited with New Orleans and the New York Jets, though nothing has come from it as of yet.
For the Raiders, their search for a quarterback will span both free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft as they look to replace a guy who has been the face of the franchise for nearly a decade. The divorce between Carr and the Raiders was not a smooth one, but it will give both sides a chance to move on, and try to do some winning away from each other.
Las Vegas has been rumored to be in on nearly every quarterback available this offseason, and some who are still under contract with other teams. While Aaron Rodgers is starting to look like a longshot, there are some veterans that could come in and win right away in Las Vegas.
One player the team should keep their eyes on is Jacoby Brissett, who has starting experience in the NFL and has played under Josh McDaniels in New England. Sure, Jimmy Garoppolo is the big name out there right now, but he could come at a very high price, and may not be as productive, or available as Brissett would be.
Brissett has a strong skill set and has really only had a few chances at being a full-time starter in the NFL. One was in 2017 when he has to replace an injured Andrew Luck, and another was in 2019 when Luck retired suddenly in the offseason, and Brissett led the Colts to a 7-8 record in his 15 starts.
Last season, he stepped in as the starter in Cleveland with Deshaun Watson serving his suspension, and while the team struggled, he tossed 12 touchdowns against six interceptions, while also averaging five yards per carry on the ground.
Raiders may be better off with Brissett
In terms of what he brings to the table, Brissett may actually be the better option for the Raiders in 2023, especially if they are looking for a bridge quarterback. The belief is that Garoppolo is going to want a big payday, and Brissett could be brought in for less than $10 million after making less than $6 million last season.
Raiders 7-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: QB, 2024 first-round pick, and more
The Las Vegas Raiders have $46 million in cap space, and this gives them the space to trade down and load up for a full rebuild ahead of 2023.
Brissett also has the combination of passing ability and rushing ability that would thrive in McDaniels’s offense. If Las Vegas is truly not looking to make a long-term commitment to the position this offseason, I would sign Brissett to a two-year deal, giving them the monetary flexibility to continue to bolster the roster.