Raiders Predicted to Part Ways With $25 Million QB This Offseason

The Las Vegas Raiders are headed into an offseason of rebuilding behind a new head coach and general manager, with one outlet predicting a new quarterback will likely come with it.

The Raiders hired Pete Carroll to serve as their new head coach and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant general manager John Spytek to serve as their next G.M. The pair will have some big roster decisions ahead, and the future of veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew could be one of the biggest.

Bleacher Report identified Minshew as the team's most likely salary cap casualty this offseason, noting that the team would save $6.3 million by releasing him. The report noted that it would be up to the team's new head coach and general manager, but added that "it's a pretty safe bet that whoever is in charge won't have Gardner Minshew in the plan for the future."

"Minshew went 2-7 as the starter this season, throwing more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (9) and posting a miserable 38.3 QBR," the report noted. "Whether it's through the draft or free agency, the Raiders feel destined to start over at the quarterback position, and cutting Minshew would save $6.3 million against the cap."

The Raiders signed Minshew to a two-year, $25 million contract last offseason. 

The Raiders may need to either turn back to Aidan O'Connell or look to free agency for their next signal-caller. They hold the No. 6 pick in the upcoming NFL draft, with most experts predicting that the top quarterbacks will be off the board by then.  

Kyle Crabbs of The 33rd Team wrote that the NFL draft board is "a bit of a bummer" for the Raiders, who miss out on both a top quarterback and the best player available. Crabbs instead predicted the Raiders would address the other side of the ball, taking Michigan cornerback Will Johnson.