Raiders predicted to sign $28 million former Pro Bowl quarterback

The Las Vegas Raiders hired a new general manager on Wednesday who will be tasked with addressing the team's atrocious quarterback situation. 

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant general manager John Spytek is expected to be named the next general manager of the Raiders. Spytek spent eight years in Tampa Bay working in multiple roles and will now look to rebuild a roster deprived of high-end talent in Las Vegas, primarily at quarterback.

Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew served as the team's starters for most of the 2024 season, and neither signal-caller proved to be a long-term answer at the position. 

Though selecting a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft would be an ideal scenario for the Raiders, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox predicts Las Vegas will go down the veteran free-agent route and sign Cleveland Browns signal-caller Jameis Winston.

As previously mentioned, the Raiders don't need another bridge quarterback on their roster. They should hope to land a long-term starter in free agency—though there are few options—or secure a top QB prospect in the draft.

Otherwise, sticking with O'Connell and hoping to find a QB in 2026 is probably the best plan as it pertains to the Raiders' starting quarterback spot. However, Las Vegas could afford to add more experience, leadership and positivity to its quarterback room.

In Las Vegas, Winston could at least get a chance to compete, although his propensity for turnovers might not lead to many starting opportunities. Those issues aren't going to disappear, but playmakers like Brock Bowers, Tre Tucker and Jakobi Meyers would at least complement Winston's strong arm if he were to see the field.

Winston appeared in 12 games and started seven for the Browns in 2024, and the veteran was incredibly inconsistent, tossing 13 touchdowns to 12 interceptions with a 61.1% completion rate. 

The 2015 No.1 overall pick of the Buccaneers took over as Cleveland's starter in Week 8 after starting signal-caller Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 7. Winston served as the starter until Week 16, when he was benched for Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

Though Winston isn't a high-level starting quarterback and has struggled with turnovers for most of his career, the 30-year-old would be an adequate backup with a ton of experience and can serve as a veteran leader on a rebuilding team.

Additionally, the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner shouldn't demand a sizeable contract in free agency, thus there would be little risk in signing Winston to a one or two-year deal.