The Las Vegas Raiders experienced a tumultuous quarterback situation throughout the 2024 NFL season, cycling through multiple players in search of stability. Starting with Gardner Minshew II, the team switched to Aidan O’Connell, then reverted back to Minshew, while briefly utilizing Desmond Ridder. Ultimately, O’Connell was the last man standing, but this inconsistency at quarterback mirrors their struggles since moving on from Derek Carr, arguably the franchise's best quarterback.
After signing a four-year, $150 million contract with the New Orleans Saints in March 2023, Carr's journey in New Orleans has been rocky yet productive, despite injuries limiting him in 2024. He finished the season as the Saints' highest-graded player according to Pro Football Focus, achieving an 85.6 rating. His overall completion rate was nearly 68% with 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns, and only five interceptions across 10 games, showcasing his potential to lead the team back to the playoffs in 2025, a feat he has achieved only once in his career with the Raiders in 2016.
The Raiders are now faced with a pressing question: how to find their next quarterback. They may explore options in the upcoming NFL Draft or consider signing a seasoned veteran. Alternatively, they might give O’Connell a chance to cement his place as the starter, as he showed promise late in the season. The debate surrounding Carr's departure from the Raiders continues to divide fans, reflecting the challenges of finding a suitable replacement for a player of his caliber.
