The Las Vegas Raiders are heading into the 2026 offseason with a glaring question mark at the most important position in football: quarterback.
Geno Smith was brought in as a stopgap, but that experiment fell flat. The Raiders now find themselves back at square one, searching for a long-term answer under center.
Ideally, they'd land a young quarterback who can grow with the franchise, someone to build around for the next decade. That dream scenario could mean using the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft on Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza-if he declares.
As of now, that’s still up in the air.
Regardless of Mendoza’s decision, the writing seems to be on the wall for Smith. He’s unlikely to return, which means Las Vegas has to cast a wide net-looking not just at the draft, but also at potential trades and free-agent options.
And that’s where things get interesting.
There’s growing chatter around the league that the Raiders could make a bold move-one that would instantly reshape the franchise. According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, there's a sense that Las Vegas might take a big swing at acquiring Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Now, let’s be clear: there’s no official word from the Ravens that Jackson is on the block. But sometimes, where there’s smoke, there’s at least a flicker of fire. Florio referenced a column by Mike Preston of The Baltimore Sun, which floated Las Vegas as a potential landing spot if Baltimore were to entertain trade offers for the former MVP.
“There are some who believe... that the Raiders are going to make a play for Lamar. That that’s the big splash,” Florio said on PFT Live. He even suggested that the Raiders could dangle the No. 1 overall pick as bait-though realistically, it would likely take more than that to pry Jackson away from Baltimore.
Preston’s column took it a step further, speculating that the Ravens could net multiple first-round picks if they decided to move Jackson. He also noted that Jackson might be intrigued by the idea of playing in Miami or Las Vegas-two markets with appeal and, in the Raiders’ case, an ownership group that includes Tom Brady, who has reportedly shown admiration for Jackson’s game.
That column, however, was written before a major shake-up in Baltimore: the firing of long-time head coach John Harbaugh. Harbaugh and Jackson reportedly had their share of friction, and his departure could signal a renewed commitment to Jackson as the face of the franchise. If anything, it makes a trade less likely-at least on the surface.
Still, this situation is far from settled.
Jackson’s contract looms large over the Ravens’ offseason plans. He’s set to carry a staggering $74.5 million cap hit in 2026.
That’s a massive number for a team projected to be just $13.8 million under the salary cap. The Ravens will need to restructure or extend Jackson’s deal to make the math work.
If negotiations stall-or if Jackson decides he’s ready for a fresh start-then the door opens, even if only slightly.
And if that door opens? The Raiders could be ready to walk through it.
Acquiring Jackson would be a franchise-altering move for Las Vegas. He’d instantly become the best quarterback the team has had since Derek Carr-and frankly, Jackson brings a higher ceiling. His dual-threat ability, MVP pedigree, and leadership presence would not only energize the fanbase but also accelerate the team’s rebuild in a major way.
For a franchise that’s been searching for stability at quarterback for years, a move like this would be more than just a splash-it would be a statement. The kind that says the Raiders are done waiting. They’re ready to win now.