Quarterback with Chip Kelly ties confirms meeting with Raiders

The quarterback crop in the 2025 NFL Draft is a little odd to sort out.

Outside of the top two in Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, most of the quarterbacks in this year’s group fall into the same category. While they all have different skillsets and strengths, they all need at least a season on the bench behind an established starter to get up to NFL speed. For teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, this leaves their search for a quarterback feeling like a guessing game, hoping that they find the prospect with the tools most translatable to pro success.

Finding said prospect is why the Raiders are doing their due diligence at the position, watching and meeting with several available quarterbacks.

The latest name on the Raiders’ watchlist is one Chip Kelly is very familiar with.

During Ohio State’s pro day on Wednesday, quarterback Will Howard showcased why he quickly rose up the draft boards.

Hoping to shake off what was a difficult Combine, Howard responded nicely during his pro day workout. Scouts reportedly came away impressed with Howard’s accuracy and ability to find a rhythm quickly, hitting his receivers with consistency. Unofficially, he finished with 43 completions on 46 throws during his on-field drills, including making his first 40 passes in a row before his streak was broken by a dropped ball.

The performance undoubtedly caught the eye of several NFL teams, and the Raiders are no exception.

“NFL teams watched Howard (6-foot-4, 236 pounds) produce at both Kansas State and Ohio State, where last season he helped the Buckeyes win the national title,” wrote The Athletic’s Zac Jackson. “He’s been back on campus in recent weeks amid a busy schedule of visits and private workouts, and though Howard was hesitant to share the rest of his pre-draft itinerary, he said he’s scheduled for a visit to Las Vegas with the Raiders and new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, Howard’s offensive coordinator last season at Ohio State.”

With his deep connection to the Raiders through Kelly, it is unsurprising to see Howard firmly on their radar.

Despite his advanced age (he will be 24 during his rookie season), Howard possesses several skills that NFL teams covet in their quarterback prospects. He is well-seasoned with a little over three years of in-game experience at the collegiate level, combining noticeable arm strength with the ability to place the ball where his receivers can get it. Howard is also athletic enough to make plays outside the pocket, allowing him to stretch out plays and avoiding the ‘strict pocket passer’ label.

If the Raiders want him however, they can expect to have some serious competition.

“New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore and assistant general manager Jeff Ireland were first to greet Howard at the end of his workout,” Jackson continued. “The Saints hold pick No. 9 in the first round and No. 40 in the second round. Tuesday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers contingent that included head coach Mike Tomlin, general manager Omar Khan and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith took Howard to dinner.”

The Raiders clearly like Howard, so the continued interest from teams could dictate where they ultimately take him.