Who Should I Start? Aidan O'Connell or Shedeur Sanders

Friday, April 11, 12:07 PM

The Las Vegas Raiders signed quarterback Geno Smith to a two-year, $75 million contract extension this offseason, but it's extremely team-friendly, and The Athletic's Vic Tafur thinks bringing in a young QB in this year's NFL draft to learn behind Smith makes sense. Tafur also thinks the Raiders might trade backup Aidan O'Connell on draft weekend. The Raiders have a clear out with Smith after 2026, as they guaranteed only $18.5 of his $26.5 million 2026 salary, and none of the $39.5 million he's due to make in 2027. Minority owner Tom Brady likes the idea of rookie QBs sitting and learning, and the Raiders will have some interesting options later in the draft in what is considered a down year for QBs. Tafur doesn't think it makes much sense to take Colorado's Shedeur Sanders at No. 6 overall, and a good number of QBs could be off the board by the team's second pick at No. 37 overall.

Friday, May 30, 11:11 PM

As things stand during organized team activities, The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that Cleveland Browns rookie fifth-round quarterback Shedeur Sanders is last in line in the team's QB competition between Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel. Jackson thinks there's almost no scenario where Gabriel or Sanders win the starting job initially. Sanders got the fewest reps in an OTA practice on Wednesday, but he could make noise quickly as long as he's willing to learn and be coached. The 23-year-old's touch and accuracy has been on display early on. Going into his rookie season in the NFL, Sanders' goal is basically to stay in the team's plans and be deemed worthy of further development. It might be a long shot that we see either of Gabriel or Sanders on the field in 2025, and his ceiling as a dynasty asset might be as a backup QB in the NFL.