First: I’m not interested in debating whether or not AOC is the future of the Raiders here, because right now we have no idea. This conversation is assuming that he’s not, and that the Raiders look to move on with someone else at the QB position next year.
So on the Silver and Black Today Podcast, the hosts talked about the possibility of Justin Fields maybe going to Las Vegas next year. And they made that connection around the fact that Champ Kelly scouted and drafted Fields while he was in Chicago, so there is a pre-existing relationship there.
They also pointed out that Mark Davis has plainly said that Champ Kelly was his pick to be GM before McDaniels brought Ziegler as a package deal. So the assumption there is that Champ Kelly will likely have the job going into next year.
If this all comes to fruition, what do we think about that?
I personally think Fields is talented, and can be great given the right environment. Chicago has never developed QBs well, as they tend to be a more defensive culture.
On top of that, I can’t imagine Chicago will ask for more than a 3rd or 4th round pick for the guy, which I would be fine with. With the 1st pick, they’ll likely be all in on Caleb Williams.
This would allow us to focus on the lines, and secondary in the draft while giving him a shot in Vegas for a year. It would be so low risk, and potential high reward. And if it doesn’t work out, we could always look to a QB in next years draft.
Or do you think we go all in on one of the potential studs coming out this year?
With Jimmy G eating cap, AOC doing as much as a rookie as say Carr, and more than Brees or Brady, it would take a really definitive view to heavily invest in another QB to be the starter - thats my summary of the context from our end.
Fields as of today: Chicago fans view seems to be he can’t read defenses or go through progressions, so is pretty much limited run option passes, with garbage around him to help out. Dunno why a raider fan would contradict that view.
I think he’d be more of a change of pace type backup/niche play guy for us. So far no one in the modern NFL has managed to get two passers on the field as a regular part of the offense, its the sort of thing OCs would have fun drawing up but not the blocking to execute.
You want The Heartbreak Kids, the Madden storyline, in real life for Vegas? I hope your weed is cheap, because you’re smoking a lot of it.