The Las Vegas Raiders entered training camp with optimism surrounding their quarterback room, but a recent setback has forced the team to reassess their depth. Quarterback Aidan O’Connell fractured his wrist and will be sidelined for six to eight weeks, according to Adam Schefter. That leaves the Raiders with rookie Cam Miller, a sixth-round pick out of North Dakota State, as the next (and only) man up behind Geno Smith.
While Miller has flashed in spurts during the preseason, the Raiders need more than potential — they need experience. Head coach Pete Carroll admitted as much this week, saying the team is now searching for “an experienced player who can help us.” That sentiment has prompted Raiders columnist Paul Gutierrez to suggest the organization should take a serious look at former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston, currently buried in the depth chart with the New York Giants.
Raiders Urged to Bring in Jameis Winston
Gutierrez didn’t mince words in highlighting Winston as the prime option to address the team’s headache at backup quarterback.
“Perhaps the biggest name to keep an eye on is Jameis Winston, who is a cut candidate in the Meadowlands,” Gutierrez wrote. “Winston, the No. 1 pick of the 2015 draft, has started 87 of 105 games in his career for the Buccaneers, Saints, and Browns before signing with the Giants this offseason. To quote Carroll, ‘A guy that’s had game experience is really huge to me.’ Connecting any dots yet?”
Winston would not only stabilize the QB2 spot but also provide a safety net if Smith were to miss time. Schematically, Winston is similar to Smith in the fact that he isn’t shy about pushing the ball downfield…at all. A true gunslinger, he has the skill to keep the offense afloat if Smith weren’t available.
Then there’s the intangible element. Wherever Winston goes, he brings energy. From his fiery speeches to his lighthearted locker-room moments, he’s become a fan-favorite across the league. For a team establishing a new identity under Carroll, that positivity could be just as valuable as his much-needed experience.
Backup Quarterback Drama
GettyGeno Smith #7 and Cam Miller #5 of the Las Vegas Raiders.
It’s unfortunate to have O’Connell go down just before the start of the season, but the reality is the Raiders could be in serious trouble if Smith goes down early in the season.
When asked if Miller is ready to embrace the QB2 spot, Carroll points to his youth as a possible setback.
“He’s just a raw kid trying to do it. He’s made some good plays, he’s tough and he shows a knack for playing the spot. But he just needs a ton of plays. So, we’d like to buy some more time with him, as much as we could.”
It’s better to understand that throwing Miller into the fire too early could ruin his career, and Carroll isn’t afraid to admit that. That’s why Gutierrez pointed to Winston as the top name to watch. With Russell Wilson locked in as the Giants’ starter and rookie Jaxson Dart in a prime position to become the future in New York, there’s no room for Winston.
He might not be the Raiders’ long-term answer, but he could be the short-term solution that keeps the team’s playoff aspirations alive.
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