Las Vegas Raiders Coach Josh McDaniels on the Search for a Quarterback
February 28, 2023
Hunter Macias
Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels recently spoke to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine about the team's plans for the quarterback position. With Derek Carr gone, the Raiders are exploring every avenue to address the position, but McDaniels remained consistently vague about their preferences. In this blog, we'll take a closer look at McDaniels' comments and what they could mean for the Raiders' offseason plans
Las Vegas Raiders
2
Eye High-Profile Movement at Quarterback
During his media session at the NFL Scouting Combine, Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels acknowledged the importance of the quarterback position and the impact it will have on their upcoming season. He admitted to thinking about quarterbacks every day and stated that they will explore every avenue to address the position. When asked about their preference in archetype, McDaniels remained vague, citing the many differences in the upcoming draft class. He also did not reveal any preferences in the free-agent class, but did mention the possibility of addressing the position with a veteran instead of spending a top pick on a quarterback the Raiders don't necessarily love.
"The goal for us, eventually, is to have somebody that's going to be here for a long time," McDaniels said. "So we're going to do everything we can do to evaluate every player at that position, both in the draft and free agency, and try to see what we can do to improve the room...The goal, eventually, is to have a player here who's going to be a Raider for a long time."
McDaniels emphasized the importance of leadership in a quarterback, stating that it is a prerequisite for the position. He also mentioned the need for mental and physical toughness, moving the ball, scoring points, taking care of it, and ultimately winning.
In addition to addressing the quarterback position, the Raiders also have to deal with the impending free agency of Josh Jacobs, who had a career year under Derek Carr. McDaniels expressed his desire for Jacobs to remain a Raider for quite a while, and the team has been in contact with his representatives.
The search for a franchise quarterback is never easy, but it's one that the Raiders are taking seriously. With Derek Carr's departure, they have a void to fill, and the pressure is on for them to find the right fit for their team. McDaniels and Ziegler have a lot of work ahead of them, but they seem confident in their ability to evaluate all of their options and make the best decision for the Raiders. It's not just about finding a quarterback, though; the team has other areas that need improvement as well. They'll need to address those areas in the coming weeks and months if they want to be successful in the upcoming season. The Raiders are in a good position to make significant moves this offseason, and fans will be eager to see how they build the team for the future.
As always, thank you for reading, and buckle up for what's sure to be another exciting offseason.