It is really anyone's guess as to who will be under center for the Oakland Raiders when the season kicks off in 2014. The team cannot seem to figure out their quarterback situation and with Matt McGloin, Trent Edwards and Terrelle Pryor the lone players on the roster, the Raiders need to add someone. While the draft is certainly a solid option for Oakland, the team seems set on trading or signing a veteran for the spot.
According to ESPN's Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com, the Raiders have targeted Matt Schaub or Mark Sanchez as their top options for a veteran quarterback. At the moment, both players are unavailable and under contract with their respective teams. However, it has been widely reported that both players will likely get released sooner rather than later. If the Texans or Jets are going to release the quarterbacks, they need to do it soon or they will owe them more money and take a bigger salary cap hit.
If Schaub and Sanchez remain on the roster, Oakland will have to make a trade and likely give up a draft pick to the Texans or Jets. For a team that is rebuilding, that is not necessarily the ideal move as every draft pick is valuable. However, the remaining pool of free agent quarterbacks is not that exciting and could leave the Raiders with no other choice.
The team is looking at quarterbacks available for signing now and has narrowed down their options to Josh Freeman or Michael Vick. Oakland could go after players like Brandon Weeden or Kyle Orton, but appear to like Vick and Freeman instead.
Albert Breet of the NFL Network reports that Freeman is the heavy favorite over Vick because he is more of a system quarterback, something the team wants. After failed attempts with both the Buccaneers and Vikings, Freeman is looking for a chance to start again and the Raiders certainly offer up that opportunity.
The Raiders want Schaub or Sanchez and depending on their outlook, might actually give up a draft to acquire one of the two. If Oakland sigs a veteran quarterback, it could mean they are not planning on using their first-round draft pick on someone like Johnny Manziel or Blake Bortles. Oakland could draft a linebacker or wide receiver instead and then pick up a quarterback in later round which might actually be the better option. Expect the team to hold out on a move until the futures of both Schaub and Sanchez are more known.
