The Las Vegas Raiders benefitted from a strong performance from Derek Carr who tallied 4,804 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions last season.
Those numbers helped the Raiders enter the playoffs for the first time since 2016, but they lost to the Cincinnati Bengals.
That performance earned Carr a three-year, $121.5 million contract extension.
But while their starting quarterback position is already in place, the Raiders needed to reinforce their quarterback rotation.
Carr will still lead the way, but they must have someone who can take over if something untoward happens.
Therefore, they initiated a trade with the New England Patriots to acquire Jarrett Stidham.
As @IAmJamesStewart and @AlbertBreer said, the Patriots and Raiders are in the process of finalizing a trade to send QB Jarrett Stidham to Las Vegas, a source confirms. The teams will flip late-round picks.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) May 12, 2022
ESPN NFL Nation reporter Mike Reiss said, “As @IAmJamesStewart and @AlbertBreer said, the Patriots and Raiders are in the process of finalizing a trade to send QB Jarrett Stidham to Las Vegas, a source confirms. The teams will flip late-round picks.”
Stidham has been with New England since he was drafted in 2019.
He did not play at all last season because Mac Jones became the team’s starter.
With Jones shaping up to be the Patriots’ franchise quarterback, the team could afford dealing Stidham away.
Stidham fills the roster spot left by Marcus Mariota.
Who Will Be Las Vegas’ Main Backup?
Mariota left for the Atlanta Falcons, giving him the opportunity to become a starting quarterback again.
As he left Las Vegas, the Raiders had Carr, Nick Mullens, and Garrett Gilbert under center.
Stidham’s arrival gives Las Vegas four quarterbacks which is unusual because teams often keep three active quarterbacks.
Therefore, the Raiders might relegate one of them in the practice squad or cut the odd man out from the team.
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