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Raiders quarterback search now includes 2021 draft bust

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Derek Hegna | Last updated Feb 27, 2025 1:00 PM ET

The 2021 draft crop of quarterbacks has been full of disappointment amidst lofty expectations.

The only quarterback drafted in the first round still on the team that drafted him, let alone still starting, is Trevor Lawrence, who was drafted first overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Justin Fields (11th overall, Chicago Bears) somewhat rejuvenated his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, hoping to convince a team to give him a decent payday next month. Meanwhile, Zach Wilson (second overall, New York Jets), Trey Lance (third overall, San Francisco 49ers) and Mac Jones (15th overall, New England Patriots) are languishing in backup roles on other teams.

All they need is a team desperate enough to take a flier on one of them to showcase their talents, and recent rumors indicate the Las Vegas Raiders fall in that category.

The Raiders have been linked to Wilson during the NFL Combine.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore, Wilson has repeatedly popped up when mentioning the Raiders’ quarterback situation, indicating potential interest.

Obviously, there’s a long way to go with the @Raiders QB room, but a name that keeps coming up here in Indianapolis, at least in terms of bringing into the mix, is Zach Wilson.

— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) February 26, 2025

The Raiders have not been shy about admitting they need solutions at the quarterback position, but Wilson being connected shows just how deep the team is searching.

Coming out of Brigham Young University, Wilson’s tenure with the Jets was nothing short of turbulent. The team continued to struggle with Wilson under center, resulting in him being traded to the Denver Broncos in 2024, never appearing in regular season action that season. When he played last in 2023, Wilson recorded 2,271 passing yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions across twelve games with the Jets.

If Wilson really is under consideration for the Raiders, it would have to be strictly in a backup role with the chance to start if injuries strike.

While the team has Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew under contract for 2025, it is likely that Minshew will be cut due to the cap savings of $3 million. Bringing Wilson in for cheap would provide some competition, but it cannot be the only move the Raiders make to help their quarterback room. Wilson’s addition likely means the Raiders have a quarterback they are monitoring in the draft, with the idea of selecting them in April.

Banking on Wilson’s upside is understandable, but the Raiders must have a much larger plan in mind if he joins the team.

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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