Could the arrival of Tom Brady in a minority ownership role with the Las Vegas Raiders have an immediate ripple effect on the team’s quarterback situation heading into the 2025 NFL Draft? One insightful prediction suggests that the Raiders will be actively engaging in trade discussions, a move that could significantly alter the future of their past starting quarterback, Aidan O’Connell.
The Raiders have already made a notable addition to their quarterback room, acquiring Geno Smith via trade with the Seattle Seahawks on March 13th. This move positions the Pro Bowl veteran as the current QB1 heading into the 2025 season, reuniting him with Raiders head coach Pete Carroll. However, this acquisition seemingly leaves O’Connell in a precarious position within the team’s quarterback hierarchy.
Las Vegas Raiders Minority Owner Wants A Rookie QB
Now, Vic Tafur of The Athletic posits that the 2023 fourth-round draft pick’s tenure in Las Vegas may be drawing to a close. In his analysis on Sunday, Tafur suggests that the Raiders are likely to prioritize selecting a younger quarterback during the upcoming draft weekend, a strategy that would likely pave the way for an O’Connell trade.
Tafur elaborated on the potential influence of the team’s new minority owner, stating, “New minority owner Tom Brady likes the idea of rookie quarterbacks sitting and soaking it all in, and there are some interesting options even in what is a down year in the draft for QBs.”
So, which teams might be interested in acquiring O’Connell? Despite a sub-.500 record as a starter (7-10 overall), the former Purdue standout has compiled a respectable 3,830 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and just 11 interceptions in his young career. These solid statistics suggest that he could indeed be a fit for another NFL team seeking quarterback depth or a potential developmental prospect.
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Meanwhile, the Raiders’ draft strategy at the quarterback position remains a subject of speculation. While some fans have expressed enthusiasm for the possibility of drafting Colorado star Shedeur Sanders with the No. 6 overall pick, Tafur believes this scenario is unlikely. He notes, “Sanders doesn’t make a lot of sense at No. 6, and a surprising number of quarterbacks could be gone by the time the Raiders pick at 37.”
Tafur also downplayed the likelihood of the Raiders targeting quarterbacks like Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss and Jalen Milroe of Alabama, suggesting they are more likely to be late first-round selections.
Instead, Tafur identified Quinn Ewers of Texas, Louisville’s Tyler Shough, and perhaps even Ohio State national champion Will Howard as potential quarterback options for the Raiders in the second and third rounds, expressing a particular intrigue in Ewers despite some concerns about his consistency and vision.
He commented, “I have been a little critical of Ewers for his lack of consistency and vision. But he has the size and arm talent you want, some nice road wins at Alabama and Michigan the last two years and played hurt last season.”
Regardless of which quarterback the Raiders ultimately target in the draft, Aidan O’Connell’s future in Las Vegas appears increasingly uncertain, seemingly clearing the path for a new, younger signal-caller to join the team.