In 2024, the Las Vegas Raiders are poised for significant changes within their quarterback ranks.
It’s expected that both Jimmy Garoppolo and the 38-year-old Brian Hoyer, unless he opts for retirement, will part ways with the team, leaving Aidan O’Connell as the lone remaining option.
Nevertheless, even with potential drafting of a new quarterback, the Raiders are likely to retain a veteran presence on their roster. According to Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr, there’s speculation that the team might pursue San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback Sam Darnold to fulfill that role.
“The Raiders are going to bring in competition for Aidan O’Connell, and that quarterback’s name is … Sam Darnold. The former No. 3 pick boosted his signability after a year in the Kyle Shanahan system. Darnold has struggled at times but, similarly, has also displayed an incredibly high ceiling. This is especially true when Darnold is throwing on the move. [Offensive coordinator] Luke Getsy majored in a strain of the Shanahan offense during his time in Green Bay with the Packers and was a solid play-caller in Chicago.”
Darnold, originally selected as the No. 3 pick by the New York Jets in 2018, has faced challenges performing consistently at a high level in the NFL. His recent stint with the 49ers saw limited playtime, including just one start, resulting in a loss.
As Darnold approaches his 27th birthday in June, he enters his seventh season without a single season where he’s thrown 20 or more touchdown passes. Among quarterbacks with over 20 games played since 2021, Darnold holds the second-highest interception percentage (2.9%) in the league, trailing only Justin Fields of the Chicago Bears.
Despite signing with the 49ers in 2023 under the tutelage of head coach Kyle Shanahan, renowned for his quarterback development skills, Darnold’s growth as a passer remains uncertain due to his limited playing time.
Nevertheless, Darnold’s physical attributes, standing at 6-foot-3 with a strong arm, continue to appeal to teams seeking quarterback talent. Yet, his inability to secure consistent victories in the NFL is evident, with a career record of 21-35 in 56 starts, accompanied by nearly as many interceptions (56) as touchdowns (63). By contrast, Raiders rookie O’Connell boasted a lower interception percentage (2.0%) in 2023 than Darnold has achieved throughout his career.
Sam Darnold may not be the move that puts the Raiders back into playoff contention, but he would not be a bad option if the team decides to sign a veteran this offseason.
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