The Raiders are far from resolving their quarterback situation. Much negativity has surrounded the battle during training camp, and even I was prepared to hit the panic button a few days ago.
But we have to remember that there is still a whole month until the team will play a game that really matters. During that month, the offense will be bolstered by the return of Davante Adams, Kolton Miller, and Jackson Powers-Johnson, and the unit will have another thirty days to absorb the concepts and nuances of their new offense.
This uncertainty, however, has caused Raider Nation to provide an abundance of theories regarding why a certain quarterback should be starting over the other this season. Some believe it’ll come down to how the offensive line plays, while some think it will be determined by who Adams wants. Practices do matter, but preseason games matter even more.
One aspect of the battle that I feel is greatly overlooked is each quarterback’s redzone production. Capitalizing inside the 20-yard line may be the difference this season between averaging 19 and 23 points per game. This increase would be monumental and likely the difference between a top 10 pick and a playoff berth.
Let’s see how they compare.