The Las Vegas Raiders have hired Pete Carroll as head coach, indicating that they do not want to completely rebuild the team. A team does not hire the oldest coach in NFL history only to rest for a few seasons.
However, the Raiders will not go anywhere without an upgrade at quarterback. There was previously much talk about the team being proactive in the draft to locate one, but buzz is building about another alternative.
Sam Darnold stands out as the greatest free agent quarterback option. He was a Pro Bowler for the Minnesota Vikings this season and is only 27 years old. Though he did not play for Carroll at USC, the coach’s influence is still felt across the program.
The Las Vegas Raiders have hired Pete Carroll as head coach, indicating that they do not want to completely rebuild the team. A team does not hire the oldest coach in NFL history only to rest for a few seasons.
However, the Raiders will not go anywhere without an upgrade at quarterback. There was previously much talk about the team being proactive in the draft to locate one, but buzz is building about another alternative.
Sam Darnold stands out as the greatest free agent quarterback option. He was a Pro Bowler for the Minnesota Vikings this season and is only 27 years old. Though he did not play for Carroll at USC, the coach’s influence is still felt across the program.
Is Darnold a better option than Russell Wilson?
The Raiders are rumoured to be interested in Russell Wilson, who previously worked with Carroll in Seattle. However, he is 36 years old and has been declining in recent years.
Knox outlined why Darnold could make more sense.
“Darnold would also mesh with the blueprint of new head coach Pete Carroll, assuming he looks to replicate his Seattle Seahawks formula,” Knox noted in an email. “The 2018 No. 3 pick possesses the physical tools to be a top-tier game manager and occasional playmaker, complementing a powerful running game and defence.
“Carroll could look to reunite with Russell Wilson, though there’s no guarantee he won’t re-sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers.”
“Darnold would also mesh with the blueprint of new head coach Pete Carroll, assuming he looks to replicate his Seattle Seahawks formula,” Knox noted in an email. “The 2018 No. 3 pick possesses the physical tools to be a top-tier game manager and occasional playmaker, complementing a powerful running game and defence.
“Carroll could look to reunite with Russell Wilson, though there’s no guarantee he won’t re-sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers.”
With next year’s class expected to be stronger, the best option for the organisation could be to build up the rest of the squad while giving a one-year deal to a stopgap quarterback like Wilson. The roster will be in a far better position to assist a young quarterback in his development. It is not ideal to keep deferring the quarterback decision, but if Sanders or Ward do not fall to them at No. 6, it may be the best plan.
Leave a Reply