Silver Minings: Warren Moon was nearly a Raider

On a recent episode of the Touchdown Wire NFL Podcast, host Doug Farrar interviewed former NCAA/CFL/NFL coach and offensive innovator June Jones. During their conversation, the coach revealed that Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon was nearly traded to the-then Los Angeles Raiders.

Jones said that Al Davis wanted Moon and the Houston Oilers management was frustrated with the quarterback’s perceived lack of poise in the pocket. However, the coach convinced the organization to keep the legendary signal-caller. Moon would go on to throw for 5,133 yards and 38 touchdowns with one Pro Bowl selection during his two years under Jones’ tutelage.

The Raiders could have used the Hall of Famer back then. In 1987 and 1988, the two years Moon and Jones worked together, the Silver and Black went a combined 12-19 and started five different quarterbacks.

Jay Schroder would eventually take command of the offense in 1990 and lead the team to a division title, but that was short-lived as the organization quickly went back to playing quarterback musical chairs while Moon made Pro Bowl after Pro Bowl.

Hypothetically, if Warren Moon did get traded to Los Angeles, where would he rank among the Raiders’ all-time greats?

In other Raiders’ links:

• Raiders sign all draft picks: The team announced the signings of third-round picks Divine Deablo and Malcolm Koonce this week, meaning the entire 2021 draft class is under contract heading into training camp.
• PFF ranks Raiders’ DBs 4th-worst: Ben Linsey of Pro Football Focus recently ranked all 32 secondaries and slated Las Vegas’ crew at No. 29, citing youth as the primary reason.
• Ngakoue signing one of the best offseason moves: Bleacher Reports’ Moe Moton, a fan-favorite within Raider Nation, re-graded a few of the NFL’s biggest free-agency signings from this offseason and gave the Raiders a B+ for inking defensive end Yannick Ngakoue to a two-year deal.
• Ted Hendricks ranks 77th all-time: The Athletic is releasing a series called ‘NFL 100’ this summer, ranking the top players in league history and The Mad Stork was recognized recently.