With the speculation regarding Tom Brady dropping from the owner’s box to become the Las Vegas Raiders‘ signal-caller, NFL legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Troy Aikman weighed in this week. The Silver and Black’s quarterback depth chart isn’t the only position seeing change, as Austin Hooper will slide down. It turns out that this year’s second-round draft pick, tight end Michael Mayer, is trending toward being a Day 1 starter.
Jimmy Garoppolo’s tenure with the Las Vegas Raiders is off to an uncertain start after failing his physical before signing his contract, which initially included a $11.25 million signing bonus. While we are barely entering June as of this publication, the future is somewhat murky at best.
Troy Aikman sees Tom Brady as a ‘good fit’ for the Las Vegas Raiders
Aikman weighed in on the Raiders’ quarterback situation, as there’s serious concern about whether Garoppolo will be ready for the 2023 NFL season. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback underwent surgery shortly after he signed his three-year, $72.75 million contract with the Raiders on March 17.
As a result, Brady’s name is ringing, and Aikman might be a fan of the 45-year-old coming out of retirement for a second time. Of course, Brady wouldn’t be a stranger to Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels.
“It’s a good fit for Tom,” Aikman told TMZ Sports (h/t Fox News). “I’m not surprised by it, especially after his other partnership with [Raiders owner] Mark Davis. I would imagine that being Tom Brady and being a silent partner or a minority investor would be hard. I would think that he would want to have a fairly significant role within the organization.”
“Maybe [he’d be] involved to the point where he’s actually suiting up. I don’t want to speak for Tom. [But] I wouldn’t rule anything out. He obviously has a relationship with the head coach. He knows the offense. He’ll keep himself in great shape. I would bet that nothing’s off the table as far as what may occur during the season or what Tom’s role may be. I think he’s done playing, but you just never know.”
While Garoppolo is a steady veteran and knows McDaniels’ system too, having Brady for one last dance will have Raider Nation salivating over how special of a season this year can be as he can take advantage of the weapons on the team.
Austin Cooper slides down, and Michael Mayer moves into the No. 1 TE spot
The quarterback depth chart might not be the only change the Silver and Black see heading into this season. The Athletic’s Vic Tafur reported (h/t CBS Sports) that the Raiders appear ready to hand Michael Mayer the starting tight end job.
Vegas invested the No. 35 selection in the 2023 NFL Draft on the Notre Dame product, and rather than wait for the 21-year-old to get acclimated to the league, the Raiders are ready to usher in Darren Waller’s replacement.
Mayer has the potential to fill some of the production holes Waller has left. Perhaps the attention that Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow will command will allow the rookie to flourish on the receiving end.
*Top Photo: Michael Hickey/Getty Images
On The Ray-Dar: Blips From NFL Flex Decision To Las Vegas Raiders OTA
