NFL rumors: Raiders might chase Mac Jones for quarterback

ESPN reporter Dan Graziano has word that the Las Vegas Raiders might try to turn to Mac Jones to run their offense.

For the first time in several years, the Kansas City Chiefs are going to face the Las Vegas Raiders without Derek Carr under center for the AFC West rivals. Given how pitiful the entire division has looked against the Chiefs in the last several years, we can’t blame them for making seismic changes at the most important position.

The question at this point is who will fill that role. The Raiders could try to make a move for a top quarterback prospect in this year’s draft class, but that would cost them considerably for a franchise that already moved key draft picks in last year’s trade for Davante Adams.

Beyond that, the Raiders have been linked to vets like Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers and Jimmy Garoppolo of the San Francisco 49ers. Both of those make sense for reasons all their own, but ESPN reporter Dan Graziano has word that head coach Josh McDaniels might have his eye on someone else: New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones.

Jones was a former top 15 overall pick by the Pats back in 2021, but he’s coming off of a very disappointing season in his second year in the league. If Bill Belichick and company felt like his trajectory was not going to turn anytime soon, now would be the time to rid themselves of Jones in hopes of salvaging something of their investment.

Would the Raiders go for such a reclamation project as their answer? That seems awkward, but McDaniels should have some inside info on how Jones would fare given his connections. In addition, they could also add someone else to create competition without having to pay the big bucks for a vet like Rodgers (if that’s an issue).

Either way, there’s no move at quarterback that the Raiders could make within reason that should alter the projections of the franchise all that much. They’re still devoid of talent at key positions and even the leadership remains in question at this point. Mac Jones or not, the Raiders are still likely destined for the divisional basement.