We all know that the Las Vegas Raiders need to overhaul the quarterback position if there’s to be any semblance of competitiveness this upcoming season. Luckily, a Super Bowl-winning signal-caller is available—the question is, will the Silver and Black pony up the necessary draft capital for Matthew Stafford? Well, at least there’s common ground on a potential contract, according to reports this week.
Are the Raiders really about to pull off a trade for Matthew Stafford?
Stafford finds himself in this predicament because he chose not to pursue a player-friendly contract in 2022. Instead, he chose a $40 million-per-year extension, leaving money available to help the Rams bolster their roster. After an injury-plagued 2022 season, he has delivered two consecutive strong performances. However, can we expect the same results behind a young Raiders offensive line?
With quarterbacks like Trevor Lawrence and Tua Tagovailoa now securing $50 million per year—along with Jared Goff, the player included in the 2021 Stafford trade—it’s reasonable for Stafford to seek a raise that reflects his achievements and current level of play. Can you blame him for wanting one last big payday?
According to Raiders beat writer Vincent Bonsignore, an agreement could be taking place—”common ground,” as it was described with regard to contract terms. The question is whether Raiders general manager John Spytek is willing to part with a first-round selection for the aging Stafford. It doesn’t take a genius to see that he’s nearing the end of his career. Coming off a four-win season, the Raiders roster has a litany of needs. So, how do you justify trading a valuable asset for a commodity that might not guarantee success?
It also suggests that the team brass may not be particularly enthusiastic about this year’s quarterback class. Instead, they’re opting to go with Stafford for competitiveness this season while addressing the long-term vision in the second or third round of the draft.
Acquiring Stafford could significantly impact the Raiders’ quarterback situation. The outcome will depend on how willing the Raiders are to part with key draft picks amid strong competition from other quarterback-hungry teams.
*Top Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
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