The Las Vegas Raiders are now in the market for a backup quarterback behind Geno Smith.
In the team’s final game of the preseason, Aidan O’Connell went down with a fractured wrist. That injury will sideline him an estimated six to eight weeks to begin the 2025 NFL season.
With that injury occurring, there is a vacancy that needs to be filled behind Smith. It’s expected that the Raiders will bring in someone from the outside to fill that role.
Plenty of names have been suggested as potential options for Las Vegas. However, one insider has brought up an ideal name who could fill the role perfectly.
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Paul Gutierrez of Raiders.com has named current New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston as a potential target for the Raiders.
“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.”
Even if Winston isn’t cut, there is a chance that the Giants would make him available for trade. New York has Russell Wilson penciled in as its starter, while rookie signal caller Jaxson Dart showed major reason to think he could play immediately if called upon during the preseason.
Winston has been primarily a backup in recent years. Last season with the Cleveland Browns, he ended up becoming a starter due to the torn Achilles injury suffered by Deshaun Watson.
During the 2024 season, Winston played in 12 games. He completed 61.1 percent of his pass attempts for 2,121 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
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Throughout his NFL career, there has never been any doubt about Winston’s ability to play at a high level. Unfortunately, he has had an issue with turnovers alongside the big numbers he has proven himself capable of producing.
As a backup, Winston would be well worth the pursuit for Las Vegas. He would be an elite backup behind Smith and would also bring a great personality and leader to the locker room.
It’s possible that he won’t be available, but Winston is a name worth keeping an eye on for the Raiders.
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