Who Should I Start? Trey Lance or Aidan O'Connell

Friday, April 4, 7:16 PM

The Los Angeles Chargers have agreed to terms with free-agent quarterback Trey Lance on a one-year contract worth up to $6.2 million. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the news. The North Dakota state product will join his third squad after the San Francisco 49ers selected him third overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Lance spent last season with the Cowboys and passed for 266 yards and one interception with no touchdowns in four games (one start). He added 41 yards on 11 rushes. He projects to compete with teammate Taylor Heinicke for the second-string QB job behind Justin Herbert. Due to injuries and inefficient play, the 24-year-old hasn't been afforded much playing time. However, his athletic, toolsy upside could give him a chance to unseat Heinicke as the QB2 in L.A.

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.