As the official offseason for the NFL is quickly approaching, one of the biggest headlines will be the quarterback situation for the Oakland Raiders. The team continues their search for a franchise player after letting three different quarterbacks try out the starting role last year. As Reggie McKenzie works through the roster, the quarterback position will be the first priority to fix.
According to CSN Bay Area, the Raiders are all but finished with the Terrelle Pryor experiment. Oakland took a chance on the quarterback when no one else would, taking him in the supplemental draft after a controversial ending with Ohio State. Pryor showed some signs of success starting the first half of the season, but a mid-season knee injury saw him getting replaced by Matt McGloin and only taking the field once again.
NFL sources say Oakland would prefer to trade Pryor over simply releasing him. The quarterback clearly has some talent and the ability to add that extra element onto a play with his running abilities. There will likely be teams interested if the Raiders lower their expectations for what he is worth. Many speculate Pryor is worth a late-round draft pick. The Raiders originally spent a third-round pick on the quarterback, but they will not get that back.
If Pryor is out, who is in? There is heavy speculation that Josh Freeman could be a potential target. Right now, McGloin is poised to be the starter until told otherwise, but head coach Dennis Allen wants competition and depth just in case someone does not work out. Team insider Scott Bair believes Freeman could be a target. The quarterback is finishing his one-year deal with Minnesota and has expressed interest in free agency.
Freeman would be an interesting choice to bring in considering he really only has one year of solid stats to his name. After getting released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he spent the remainder of 2013 with the Vikings. He played one game and sat with a clipboard in his hand for the rest of the year.
Freeman may or may not work out as a starter, which is why many believe Michael Vick could be another option. The Raiders will have some money to spend come March 11. It is projected the Raiders will have over $60 million in salary cap space to spend on free agents. With the quarterback position being the biggest issue, Vick could be a potential option. The free agent quarterback list is short and Vick represents the best option. Pairing the veteran with a young rookie could be the answer McKenzie has been searching for.