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When the released this offseason, most a sumed the team would be at the front of the line for big names like and , who's since retired. With just a single quarterback under contract for 2023 -- former undrafted rookie -- they figured to be in the market for anyone and everyone available. But general manager Dave Ziegler is cautioning against lofty expectations, downplaying the po sibility of an "immediate answer" on the ."We' Cale Makar Men Jersey re in charge of filling the most important position on the team," Ziegler said, . "There's some pre sure that comes along with that. And however we fill it, it doesn't mean we're going to have an immediate answer this year. But, at the end of the day, we have to have an answer in some form or fashion. There's pre sure that comes along with it. That's also part of the excitement, too."The most telling admi sion there is surely the fact Mikko Rantanen Men Jersey that the Raiders may not have an immediate answer "this year." Sure, they may have "an answer in some form of fashion," Ziegler suggested, but maybe not answer. So what does this mean for the Raiders' offseason? What can we draw, if anything, from his comments about the team's QB plans? Pick Six Newsletter Crafted By The Best NFL Experts Get the day's big stories + fun stuff you love like mock drafts, picks and power rankings. I agree to receive the "Pick Six Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. By pre sing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the and acknowledge Paramount's . Teemu Selanne Men Jersey Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox. Sorry! There was an error proce sing your subscription. The most apparent takeaway is that the Raiders are prepared to settleat the position. The natural a sumption regarding Carr's release is that Las Vegas will instantly look to upgrade on its previous starter. But Nathan MacKinnon Kids Jersey as we've seen from plenty of teams in plenty of offseasons, that's easier said than done. Carr, like and and other similarly accomplished veterans, may not be widely acclaimed. But cleanly acquiring an upgrade -- let Anton Lindholm Men Jersey alone a long-term one -- usually requires outbidding and/or outsmarting all the other QB-needy teams in either the draft or free agency. And who, really, represents a clear upgrade over Carr in the 2023 market anyway? Rodgers, perhaps? But we don't know yet whether he'll return, or whether he'll desire to stay in Green Bay, or which other teams are better suited to trade picks to land him. And even if he arrives, at 39, he projects as little more than a short-term fix. Besides a blockbuster deal for, say, , or a big gamble on a younger vet like or , there isn't a single experienced starter who stands out as a feasible multi-year solution for the Raiders.What, then, does "settling" look like? It may still Conor Timmins Men Jersey involve spending big money. But the targets would be more easily identifiable as placeholders: think Garoppolo, who's got the built-in Josh McDaniels connection, or , if somehow Seattle lets the Comeback Player of the Year walk in favor of a rookie. Pretty much any one of the would also qualify: , , , and -- the last of whom has his own history with McDaniels -- all register as serviceable but replaceable stopgaps.The X-factor, of course, is the draft, where the Raiders would surely prefer to solve the QB i sue. Not since Carr have they actually -- or succe sfully -- invested an early pick on a signal-caller. With picks at No. 7 and No. 39 overall, they've got the ammunition to pursue one of the consensus top prospects -- likely Ohio State's C.J. Stroud or Alabama's Bryce Young (via a potential trade up); Kentucky's Nikita Zadorov Men Jersey Will Levis or Florida's Anthony Richardson; or Tenne see's Hendon Hooker (beyond Day 1). There's little doubt that Ziegler would be willing to take a swing at a QB, but once again, there are obstacles: what is the price? Is the prospect beloved internally? You don't want to force a QB pick just because you can. In reality, this approach mirrors that of most teams who need a QB. You can dream of a Tom Brady-esque plug-and-play solution all you want, but the market often dictates otherwise. And until Lanny McDonald Women Jersey you're both sold on -- and capable of securing -- a homegrown face of the franchise, the . And then, inevitably, start all over again next year. |
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