Why Josh McDaniels’ comments at NFL Combine could put the kibosh on Aaron Rodgers to the Raiders rumors

The Raiders are looking for a new starting quarterback after using Derek Carr in that role for nearly nine seasons.

Las Vegas is expected to look everywhere for a possible replacement for Carr. And at the NFL Combine, Raiders coach Josh McDaniels explained that the team is still evaluating its options at the position.

“As of this writing, we don’t know who this player is,” McDaniels said of the team’s top quarterback goal, per ProFootballTalk. “Once we’ve established who’s going to be there, there’s certainly an expectation that we’ll get a good game out of that position. We have to get a good game out of this position.”

MORE: Breakdown of Raiders’ best QB options to replace Derek Carr

However, McDaniels may have given a hint about the Raiders’ plans during his press conference.

How? Well, McDaniels seemed to hint that he believes drafting and developing a quarterback is the best option right now to build a team into an NFL contender.

“The goal for us is to have someone who stays here for a long time,” McDaniels explained. “I think you see the teams that are doing well in our league, in our conference and especially in our division right now, these are young players who have been drafted by their clubs and are being developed there with the same continuity.”

In fact, all seven 2023 AFC playoff teams were drafted into the postseason by quarterbacks drafted by their organization. All were also under the age of 27, with Patrick Mahomes deputizing for the group’s senior statesman.

So McDaniels is right. Drafting and developing a quarterback is an effective strategy, especially thanks to the cost savings of having a QB on a rookie contract. And the Raiders should be positioned to do just that in the 2023 NFL Draft considering they’re armed with the number 7.

BEST QB OPTIONS: Jets | foal | privateer | Panthers

Of course, that doesn’t mean McDaniels and the Raiders are dead set on drafting a quarterback, he explained.

“But do I think you have to do that if you’re unsure or haven’t sold the player? And now you make a mistake just to say you solved a problem? I don’t think that’s really a wise decision,” he said. “So we’re going to do everything we can to rate every player in that position – both in draft and freehand, and try to do that, what we can do to improve the space.”

McDaniels may be leaving all doors open, but his comments seem to suggest the Raiders would rather draft a young quarterback. And even if he didn’t, his desire to eventually find a quarterback “that’s going to be around for a long time” wouldn’t align with the team’s acquisition of Aaron Rodgers, a possibility that’s been raised time and again in the NFL’s ever-simmering rumor mill became.

Rodgers is 39, and while he would be a clear upgrade for the Raiders, it’s hard to imagine him being a long-term starter for Las Vegas. The veteran has already considered retirement and has yet to decide whether to play in 2023.

MORE: Could Raiders be No. 1 in 2023 NFL Draft?

McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler may be willing to acquire Rodgers, even if it’s just a lease. There’s no denying that he would raise the Raiders’ ceiling and have instant chemistry with Davante Adams.

And McDaniels said the team would like to “eventually” have a quarterback who could be a long-term starter. Maybe it doesn’t have to be this off-season.

Even with the team’s long-term focus on the quarterback position, it could reduce the possibility of Rodgers ending up in Vegas — especially if a trade to acquire him proves costly. As such, it looks like the odds are higher that one of Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, Will Levis or Anthony Richardson will wear the Raiders’ black and gray in 2023.