‘Nightmare scenario’ for Raiders hardly feels like one

As maligned as Derek Carr might be amongst the Las Vegas Raiders fanbase, it is irrefutable that he was a stabilizing presence for the team at quarterback over the last 20 years.

The struggles at the quarterback position have not been entirely responsible for the Raiders’ lack of on-field success in that span, but it is hard not to notice the correlation between the two. It is why the trade that brought Geno Smith over from the Seattle Seahawks felt like an answered prayer. Smith might be a short-term solution due to age and his contract, but recreating the magic he had in his run with the Seahawks under current Raiders head coach Pete Carroll would be a blessing.

One analyst, however, has a different goal in mind for the Raiders; one that directly clashes with what the fanbase is clamoring for.

This described worst-case scenario does not seem to make much sense for the Raiders.

Despite Carroll and general manager John Spytek constructing a roster that should help them win more games, Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon says that would be the worst thing to happen for the Raiders this season.

“Geno Smith and a decent core help the Raiders win enough games to lack great first-round draft capital in pursuit of a franchise quarterback in 2026,” Gagnon wrote as his nightmare scenario for the Raiders.

If anything, what Gagnon is implying here is more likely to qualify as the worst possible outcome.

Carroll and Spytek were brought in to win games, and they have built a team that they believe can accomplish that. If they cannot, it would be based on a number of factors, from Smith struggling to get acclimated to a new team, to Ashton Jeanty uncharacteristically struggling in Year One to Brock Bowers enduring a sophomore slump. Any of those would be even worse for the Raiders, as it would push the timeline of their retool back at least another year.

Besides, Gagnon’s fear of the Raiders missing out on a top quarterback with some improvement is somewhat unjustified.

Look at the potential 2026 crop of quarterbacks. Even if the Raiders miss out on an Arch Manning, Cade Klubnik or even LaNorris Sellers, there is enough depth and star power in the class for them to still find a franchise quarterback later on. While not all of the names listed are going to enter the 2026 draft, more than enough will allow the Raiders to not be picky on who they want.

Raider Nation would prefer to see their team improve on a dismal four-win campaign, even if it means losing a few spots in the draft order.