Finding the Right Quarterback for McDaniels' System

The Las Vegas Raiders are in the market for a quarterback for the first time in nine years after releasing longtime starter Derek Carr on Tuesday.

The Raiders released him ahead of the Feb. 15 deadline, which would have guaranteed his $40.4-million contract with the team.

Carr is visiting other teams and General Manager Dave Ziegler will look for his replacement. Multiple names have been linked to the Raiders’ quarterback search, including big-time players such as Aaron Rodgers and Jimmy Garoppolo.

One thing Ziegler will need to keep in mind as he is searching for the team’s next quarterback is how that player fits within Coach Josh McDaniels’ offense.

For a quarterback, the McDaniels offense involves many pre-snap and full-field reads, and trying to create mismatches with pre-snap motion.

While this is not how many modern offenses operate, it has been an effective offense for multiple years. McDaniels has been the catalyst behind great quarterback play from Tom Brady, who is arguably the greatest quarterback of all time.

While this offense might also be complicated for some quarterbacks to learn, McDaniels can adjust his scheme to fit his quarterback's strengths.

Let’s look at some names in free agency and the draft who could potentially thrive in the McDaniels offense.

Aaron Rodgers is the big, flashy name many Raiders fans hope to become a reality. While Rodgers is not a free agent and the prototypical McDaniels quarterback, he is one of the most talented quarterbacks ever to play the game, so he would be able to learn the system pretty quickly and have a familiar face in Davante Adams to throw to.

Jimmy Garoppolo is a free agent, the 49ers have indicated that they will move on from him, and he has played in the McDaniels offense before so that it could be a seamless transition for him.

In the draft, one quarterback who comes to mind is Ohio State’s CJ Stroud. While the Raiders would likely have to move up for Stroud, he could easily transition to McDaniels’ system.

Whether the Raiders’ next quarterback is Rodgers, Garoppolo, Stroud, or a different player, one thing remains true: Josh McDaniels will get the most out of his quarterback.

The NFL Scouting Combine is Feb. 28-March 6, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. On March 7, 2023, before 4 p.m. EST, is the club's deadline to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

March 13-15 is the free agent negotiation period. During that time, starting at 12 p.m. EDT on March 13 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. EDT on March 15, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2022 Player Contracts at 4 p.m EDT on March 15.

The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period begins at 4 p.m. EDT on March 15. The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free-agent market this season.

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