The Las Vegas Raiders will likely be in the market for a quarterback this offseason, and the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore suggested they could consider trading for Justin Fields of the Chicago Bears, who could draft a new franchise quarterback if they hold on to the No. 1 pick in the draft.
“If the Bears make Fields available, it will be because they are positioned to draft one of their preferred quarterback targets,” Bonsignore wrote in a November 24 mailbag. “That could lessen their asking price for Fields, but his market will be predicated on how much interest there is for him.”
Fields, who will be 25 when the 2024 season starts, could be an upgrade over the Raiders’ current quarterback, rookie Aidan O’Connell, who has shown flashes, but his lack of athleticism limits his upside. In his six appearances, he has a 2-3 record and thrown more interceptions (6) than touchdowns (4) while passing at a 63.5% completion rate.
Pursuing Fields is “undoubtedly a possibility, although Aidan O’Connell will have a say in how this plays out with his performance over the next six games,” Bonsignore wrote, noting that the Raiders have a connection to Fields in their front office.
“Interim general manager Champ Kelly was with the Bears front office when they drafted the former Ohio State standout,” Bonsignore wrote. “In asking around the NFL, any team interested in Fields would need a scheme that fits his style of play or be open to changing its system to better suit him.”
The Raiders offense is built for a pocket passer, like O’Connell, who has rushed for only 9 yards this season, and Fields is a mobile quarterback who has 77 rushing attempts for 400 yards in eight games this season.
Does Justin Fields Make Sense for Las Vegas Raiders?
The last time the Raiders had a true dual-threat quarterback start more than one game in a season was Terrelle Pryor back in 2013. Derek Carr started for nine straight years and didn’t use his legs often. Trading for a player like Fields would represent a major philosophical change for the Raiders.
Fields is one of just three quarterbacks in NFL history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season. The 1,143 yards he rushed for last year was the second most ever for a quarterback. He’s a great runner, but his ability as a passer is still a concern. He’s 23rd in the NFL with a 44.5 QBR and he hasn’t thrown for over 2,300 passing yards in either of his two full seasons yet.
Justin Fields GAME WINNING drive HIGHLIGHT montage 💪
NBC Chicago’s Ryan Taylor and Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine also listed the Raiders as one of the most likely teams to be interested in Fields for 2024.
“With [former head coach] with Josh McDaniels out of the building, they are a good candidate,” Ballentine wrote in a November 18 story. “Fields would give them a dynamic, promising quarterback for a new head coach to build around.”
Draft or Trade for a QB?
If the season ended today, the Raiders would hold the 11th pick in the 2024 NFL draft, likely out of range of drafting one of the top available quarterbacks, but that draft position could change.
Regardless of who the general manager or head coach is next season, the Raiders appear to be in the market for a quarterback. Drafting one early is appealing.
ESPN projected the Raiders will move up from the 11th spot to the ninth spot and could take a quarterback with the pick.
“Is it too early for Michigan’s [J.J.] McCarthy here? He’s a top-15 prospect in my rankings, and we know teams love to trade up for quarterbacks,” Matt Miller wrote in a November 21 story.
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‘Undoubtedly’ Possible Raiders Could Trade for Dynamic 24-Year-Old QB: Insider