Options at quarterback IF Derek Carr is traded

They say where there is smoke there is fire, and the rumors surrounding the possibility of Derek Carr being traded are really heating up.

Just this week Raiders beat writer for the Las Vegas Review Journal, Vinny Bonsignore, reported that there is a growing sense within the league that teams are prepared to discuss the idea of trading for Carr.

Coaches and general managers of all 32 teams will be gathering in Indianapolis next week for the NFL scouting combine. In addition to scouting the incoming prospects, the combine is also known as an opportunity for teams to begin putting out feelers for trades and agents to begin endorsing their clients who are to become free agents.

Purely speculation at this point, the two teams that have been mentioned as possible trade partners with the Raiders for Derek Carr have been the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts.

The question that many fans have wondered aloud is if the Raiders indeed move on from Carr and deal him to another team, who will replace him as the team moves into their billion dollar stadium in Las Vegas?

Here are some potential options to be under center in 2020 if Derek Carr is traded:

Tom Brady

As crazy as this sounds, I think Brady is the leader in the clubhouse at this point. On Super Bowl Sunday, ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported that, according to league sources, the Raiders are poised to make a run at the six-time Super Bowl champ if he does not re-sign with the Patriots.

Further reports have indicated the Raiders are considering offering up to $30 million per year for his services.

Even at the age of 43 and coming off a season where it appeared that his super hero like abilities were starting to fully diminish, it’s hard to imagine Gruden not salivating at the idea of coaching the GOAT.

While he might seem like the odds on favorite at this point, Patriots owner Bob Kraft isn’t going to let Brady go without a fight.

Marcus Mariota

This might not be a name that will get Raider Nation excited, but it’s hard to overlook the skill set of the once second overall pick.

Mariota fell out of favor with Coach Vrabel in Tennessee and was replaced by Ryan Tannehill, who led the Titans on an impressive run that ended in the AFC Championship game. Tannehill, who is also set to become a free agent, will be prioritized over Mariota.

Maybe a fresh start is exactly what Mariota needs. It’s certainly possible that a revival could occur in the right system. Both Gruden and Mayock were high on Mariota as a prospect coming out of Oregon, so it’s possible that they could take a flier on him in 2020.

Case Keenum

Hear me out on this one. Keenum has become a textbook bridge quarterback making stops with the Rams, Vikings, Broncos, and Redskins.

Yes, he has never shown the ability to be more than that with the exception of the 2017 season, but there could be worse options out there.

Keenum has starting experience, and though he has struggled as a starter, he does have the experience that Gruden likes in his quarterbacks.

DeShone Kizer

Keep in mind that Mike Mayock had Kizer ranked as his number one quarterback in his initial rankings in 2017. Yes, that class included Deshaun Watson, Patrick Mahomes, and Mitch Trubisky. Hey, you can’t get them all right.

The Raiders claimed Kizer off waviers in September of last season after he was waived by the Packers. Kizer and Mike Glennon flip-flopped as Carr’s backup, and some weeks Kizer was inactive.

All that being said, Kizer is still only 24 and has the benefit of having worked with Gruden for a year.

Nathan Peterman

Another in house option, Peterman was in the driver’s seat to be the backup in 2019 if not for an elbow injury that landed him on IR at the beginning of the season.

Peterman has been atrocious in the limited time he has had has a starter, but he did have a very promising preseason with the Raiders. His athleticism was on display throughout training camp, making multiple plays with his legs in exhibition games.

With Peterman at the helm, Gruden could implement more of a modern offense utilizing read options and RPOs.

2020 Draft

Trading Carr would add to the draft capital that the Raiders already have, which includes two first round picks and three picks in round three.

It’s not in Gruden’s DNA to start a young, inexperienced rookie quarterback. This option seems unlikely, but it can’t be ruled out.

In order to get into the Tua or Herbert sweepstakes, (I don’t see the Bengals trading the first pick) it would involve trading up. Yes, they do have the ammunition it would take but will Mayock sign off on dealing multiple picks away, picks that he covets.

Middle round options would include Jalen Hurts and Jake Fromm.