Raiders in Frenzy: $118 Million QB Emerges as Savior After Aidan O’Connell’s Shocking Thumb Injury

Raiders in Frenzy: $118 Million QB Emerges as Savior After Aidan O’Connell’s Shocking Thumb Injury

 

The Las Vegas Raiders are in need of another quarterback after Aidan O’Connell injured his thumb against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7. A strong option available is free agent Ryan Tannehill. The Raiders could simply offer Tannehill the starting role and a reasonable salary to take over as QB1, ahead of Gardner Minshew II. Tannehill played out his $118 million contract with the Tennessee Titans last season and has been available since then. He previously indicated that he didn’t intend to return to the NFL in 2024 unless a situation arose where he could start immediately.

 

 

 

 

“When Tannehill became a free agent in March, his plan was to essentially be what Joe Flacco was last year. He didn’t want to sign as a backup and wait for an injury,” reported Ari Meirov of 33rd Team. “He’s looking for a team that needs a quarterback due to injury, and then he’ll step in.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

With O’Connell’s injury, the Raiders should be ready to offer Tannehill what he seeks. They had previously chosen O’Connell over Minshew before the injury. Minshew then struggled, throwing for 154 yards and 3 interceptions in a loss to the Rams. Now at 2-5, the Raiders must add a quarterback this week. If they aim to compete, they need someone better than Minshew. While they could explore the trade market, that would require additional salary and draft picks. Tannehill’s cost is projected at $7.7 million for 2024, translating to about $4-$4.5 million over the remaining 10 games on a one-year deal.