INDIANAPOLIS — The Raiders have emerged as a potential landing spot for veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has been given permission by the Rams to speak with other teams to gauge his market outside of Los Angeles.
Raiders minority owner Tom Brady has been in contact with Stafford’s camp about the possibility of the 37-year-old coming to Las Vegas, according to multiple NFL sources.
Stafford, who is under contract with the Rams for two more seasons, is seeking an extension because he has minimal guaranteed money remaining on his deal.
Los Angeles appears apprehensive about giving Stafford, who led the team to victory in Super Bowl 56, what he is asking for. The Rams, by allowing him to talk to other teams, are counting on the rest of the league viewing his value the same way.
There are enough quarterback-needy teams to make Stafford a desirable player, however. Especially in a year when the draft class is considered weak at the position. It would not be a surprise if at least one team met Stafford’s asking price.
That’s where the Raiders come in.
They have a massive need at quarterback and want to address it this offseason. Stafford remains one of the best passers in the league and could still be productive for several more seasons.
Chasing a QB upgrade
The Rams ultimately hold the key cards in the Raiders’ pursuit of Stafford.
First, Brady, coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek need to convince Stafford to come to Las Vegas. Second, the Raiders and Stafford need to agree on a new contract that could be worth around $50 million per year.
Then, even if those first two things happen, the team needs to work out a trade with the Rams.
Stafford won’t come cheap given his playoff success in Los Angeles. He almost led the team to an upset win over the eventual Super Bowl champion Eagles in January.
Carroll and Spytek declined to discuss Stafford at the NFL scouting combine Tuesday. But both understand they can leave no stone unturned when trying to find a franchise quarterback.
“I don’t really want to talk about other teams’ players and get in trouble in my first press conference here,” Spytek said. “But I would just say that if there’s an opportunity for any player that we think can add value to the Raiders, we’ll look into it.”
Multiple options
Stafford is one of a handful of quarterbacks the Raiders could target. Others include Sam Darnold, a pending free agent after a breakout season with the Vikings, and Aaron Rodgers, a future Hall of Famer who is expected to be released by the Jets.
The Raiders could also draft a quarterback if they find a prospect they like. It’s possible Cam Ward of Miami (Florida) or Shedeur Sanders of Colorado falls to them at the sixth overall pick.
The team will do its due diligence to try to find the best possible path to an upgrade.
“I mean, not to be kind of the cliche here, but any avenue where we can find a quarterback we’re going to explore,” Spytek said.
Carroll said no matter who the Raiders’ quarterback is, it’s important the team builds a solid infrastructure around him. It’s what he and the Seahawks did for Russell Wilson after selecting him in the third round of the 2012 draft. It paid off when Seattle won Super Bowl 48.
“He doesn’t need to carry the team, he doesn’t need to be the answer to all problems,” Carroll said. “I don’t see it that way. You build a great football team around each position and the quarterback happens to be one of them.”
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.