The Las Vegas Raiders are staring down a pivotal offseason, and there’s one name floating around that could completely reshape the franchise’s future: Lamar Jackson.
Fresh off a brutal 3-14 campaign and the firing of head coach Pete Carroll, the Raiders own the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft - a golden ticket in most years, and especially now with Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza sitting at the top of the board. But there’s a growing buzz that Las Vegas might be eyeing a different kind of splash - one that doesn’t involve a rookie at all.
Enter Lamar Jackson.
The two-time MVP remains under contract with the Baltimore Ravens, having signed a five-year, $260 million extension in 2023. That deal made headlines not just for its size - $185 million guaranteed and an average of $52 million per year - but for its structure.
Jackson’s cap hits climb steeply in 2026 and 2027, putting pressure on Baltimore’s books. And while the contract includes a full no-trade clause (meaning Jackson would have to sign off on any move), there’s a scenario where both sides could benefit from a change.
That’s where the Raiders - and more specifically, minority owner Tom Brady - come into play.
According to multiple league insiders, Brady is facing mounting pressure to help steer the Raiders out of the wreckage of 2025. Despite largely avoiding public criticism for the team’s collapse, the spotlight is now squarely on him. And with the franchise in desperate need of a turnaround, bold moves are on the table.
Trading for Lamar Jackson would be exactly that.
It wouldn’t be cheap. The No. 1 pick is a massive asset, especially with a polished college passer like Mendoza available.
But Jackson brings proven star power, elite mobility, and the kind of leadership that could instantly energize a locker room - and a fan base - that’s been stuck in neutral. He’s not a project.
He’s a win-now quarterback. And for a team that’s been spinning its wheels, that might be exactly what they need.
Of course, there are layers of complexity. Jackson’s no-trade clause means he’d have to want to come to Vegas.
The Ravens would need to be willing to move on from their franchise QB. And the Raiders would have to be comfortable absorbing a massive contract that only gets heavier in the coming seasons.
But the conversation isn’t happening in a vacuum. Brady is reportedly taking an active - even leading - role in the Raiders’ head coaching search, per Peter Schrager. Speaking on The Bill Simmons Podcast, Schrager noted that Brady is “leading the interviews” and described him as “very engaged and dialed in,” even while balancing his duties as Fox’s lead NFL analyst.
That level of involvement suggests Brady isn’t just a figurehead in Vegas. He’s hands-on. And if he sees Jackson as the kind of quarterback who can elevate the franchise, it’s not hard to imagine him pushing for a deal.
It’s a high-stakes moment for the Raiders. They can go the traditional route - draft the top college QB, reset the clock, and hope for a slow build. Or they can swing big, bet on a proven superstar, and try to fast-track their way back to relevance.
Either way, Tom Brady’s fingerprints are going to be all over this offseason. And if Lamar Jackson is even remotely in play, things could get very interesting in the desert.