Tom Brady landed a Super Bowl-winning coach for the Raiders this offseason.
And he may be trying to add a Super Bowl-winning quarterback to the mix.
Brady contacted Matthew Stafford’s representatives after the Rams allowed the veteran to talk to teams amid a contract standoff with the Rams, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Stafford reportedly is seeking at least $50 million per year with his next contract, according to NFL Network, which is why he and the Rams could potentially divorce.
New Raiders general manager John Spytek avoided the topic Tuesday at the combine.
“I don’t really want to talk about other teams’ players and get in trouble in my first press conference here,” Spytek told reporters in Indianapolis. “But I would just say that if there’s an opportunity for any player that we think can add value to the Raiders, we’ll look into it.”
That Brady is taking an active role in the search for a quarterback provides even more evidence to his influence on the franchise as a minority owner.
And in the case of finding a new quarterback, it certainly makes sense to lean on a seven-time Super Bowl champion and perhaps the greatest NFL player in league history.
The Raiders have a clear need under center after the underwhelming combination of Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew delivered a 4-13 season that led to a housecleaning in Sin City.
Stafford would immediately give the Raiders a quarterback that could, in theory, allow them to compete in a division with three 2024 playoff teams buoyed by two franchise quarterbacks and a strong rookie.
Even if the Raiders like Stafford, though, there are obstacles to pairing him with new coach Pete Carroll.
They would first have to be willing to pay the 37-year-old Stafford the money he is looking for and then also provide the Rams compensation.
Las Vegas, in theory, could instead try to sign a free agent like Sam Darnold, should he not return to the Vikings after his resurgent season.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that he expected Las Vegas to make a push to land Darnold.
Even if the Raiders are willing to pony up, the Rams would have to OK any deal and the franchise is giving off vibes that it would have no issue welcoming Stafford back.
The Giants have also been linked to Stafford.
The Raiders could also draft a quarterback, but the class is considered top-heavy and neither Cam Ward nor Shedeur Sanders may fall to that spot.
“Any avenue we can find a quarterback, we’re going to explore,” Spytek said. “Obviously there’s free agents, we have some guys in the building we want to give a chance to compete and working with coach, and (offensive coordinator) Chip (Kelly) … and the whole offensive staff, we’re just gonna try to find as many guys as we can to load that room up and have a great competition there.”
