The Las Vegas Raiders are a team that many people are going to be keeping an eye on in the final six weeks of the 2023 regular season. They already made some major changes this season, firing general manager Dave Ziegler, head coach Josh McDaniels and offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi.
That has provided Champ Kelly and Antonio Pierce great opportunities on an interim basis to take over the front office and sidelines, respectively. How they finish out the campaign will dictate what ownership does with their titles.
There are also players looking to cement spots on the roster for next season, namely quarterback Aidan O’Connell. The fifth-round rookie has shown some flashes at times this season, but his lack of athleticism has limited his ceiling and the impact he can have at times.
NFL News & Rumors: Justin Fields, Aidan O’Connell, Chicago BearsLas Vegas Raiders Updates
Unless he truly blows evaluators away, the Raiders will likely be in the market for a quarterback this offseason. One player who could pique their interest, should he become available, is Justin Fields of the Chicago Bears.
Acquiring Fields would require a revamping of the offensive game plan, as the Raiders are built right now for a pocket passer. Fields has been improving as a passer, but sticking him in the pocket and not using his best strengths, his legs and athleticism, would be a detriment. Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal wrote about the possibility of Las Vegas adding the Ohio State product in a mailbag last week.
“This 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.
“If the Bears make Fields available, it will be because they are positioned to draft one of their preferred quarterback targets. That could lessen their asking price for Fields, but his market will be predicated on how much interest there is for him.”
NFL News & Rumors: Justin Fields, Aidan O’Connell, Chicago BearsLas Vegas Raiders Updates
It is anyone’s guess right now what the cost for Fields would be and if the Bears would even want to trade him. They have been playing some solid football in recent weeks and if he keeps that up, they may opt to keep him and build the roster around him with two premium draft picks.
The whispers about Fields heading to Sin City will get louder in the offseason, especially if Kelly is retained. The Raiders’ interim GM was part of the Bears’ front office that selected Fields in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
It will be a situation the Raiders keep an eye on, as ownership could opt for a clean slate this offseason. If that is the route they take, trading for a quarterback, whether it be Fields or someone else, is certainly in play.
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