In about two weeks, the new league year will descend upon the NFL and the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite some tidbits from Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler, the plan at quarterback remains a mystery. Raiders fans are clamoring for a signal-caller in the first round of the NFL draft. However, up until now, Aaron Rodgers was a name that was linked to the Silver and Black, albeit not from the organization itself. With Rodgers’ decision looming more than ever, maybe that whole scenario was a pipe dream all along.
Was Aaron Rodgers ever part of the Raiders’ plans?
Raiders fans aren’t the only ones who are waiting for Rodgers to finally make up his mind. Green Bay Packers fans are in the same boat as well. With the NFL Combine in Indianapolis grabbing all the headlines, very little movement has taken place on the free agency front. Derek Carr, the ousted Raiders’ quarterback, was scheduled to be meeting with various teams, though no official announcement has been made about his future. Despite Carr’s resume, it’s obvious that Rodgers is the domino that will kick things off.
Of course, the Raiders’ brass is doing their due diligence in Indianapolis, meeting with many of the quarterback prospects. Even so, it’d be surprising if McDaniels and Ziegler rolled into Year 2 of their stewardship with a rookie as QB1. That doesn’t mean they’d go after Rodgers; rather, their plans will be affected by his final decision. By now, Raiders fans have heard all the scenarios. Jarrett Stidham, Jimmy Garoppolo—hell, even Jacoby Brissett could be in play. At the same time, there’s just no telling what Ziegler, in particular, has up his sleeve. Don’t let the “insiders” fool you.
One thing’s for sure: Carr is indeed gone. His plans, much like the Raiders, are likely on hold until Rodgers decides to either continue playing in Wisconsin or elsewhere or hang up his cleats.
Show me the money…
The other reason why Rodgers heading to Las Vegas likely didn’t make sense is the financial aspect. Most Raiders fans have read about Rodgers’ albatross of a contract by now. Many teams will probably try to stash cap space in an effort to pursue Rodgers this month, maybe even the Raiders. The caveat to this is that it’ll hinder your ability to secure some much-needed talent at other positions. Of course, the most important is the defensive side of the ball. The Raiders, in all fairness, really need to focus their resources on the defense. Oh, and maybe securing the league’s rushing title winner as well. Ziegler cannot afford to make a run at Rodgers only to miss out and then simultaneously lose out on top-tier defensive talent.
Then again, with Ziegler and Co., who knows?
*Top Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images