Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) warms up before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Raiders linked to Pro Bowl QB amid Aidan O'Connell's injury

By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Aug 24, 2025 4:34 PM ET

On Sunday, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll told reporters that the team would be looking for an experienced quarterback before the regular season to back up Geno Smith.

Per Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill is a possibility to join the Raiders this season.

"Raiders coach Pete Carroll said the club will seek to acquire a veteran QB with playing experience to fill O'Connell's role," Bonsignore posted on X. "They will look at all markets. (Ryan Tannehill could be a possibility)."

.@Raiders coach Pete Carroll said the club will seek to aquire a veteran QB with playing experience to fill O'Connell's role. They will look at all markets.

(Ryan Tannehill could be a possibility)
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) August 24, 2025

The Raiders need a backup quarterback after revealing that Aidan O'Connell will miss the next six to eight weeks with a wrist injury that required surgery. The only other backup on the roster is rookie sixth-round pick Cam Miller.

Tannehill, 37, is an interesting suggestion from Bonsignore. The 2019 Pro Bowl nominee last played in the NFL for the Tennessee Titans in 2023. He lost his starting job midseason to then-rookie Will Levis.

Tannehill would provide the Raiders plenty of experience for the backup position. The 2012 first-round pick by the Miami Dolphins has appeared in 155 games and started in 151 during his 11 seasons in the league. He's 81-70 as a starter. He has thrown for 34,881 yards, 216 touchdowns and 115 interceptions. The Texas A&M standout went 3-5 with the Titans in 2023, throw ing for 1,616 yards, four touchdowns and seven interceptions.

If the Raiders do not sign Tannehill, there will be no shortage of veteran quarterbacks available on the market with more recent experience. The Cleveland Browns released Tyler Huntley on Sunday. The Minnesota Vikings cut Brett Rypien on Sunday.

There will be more cuts before the deadline for teams to trim their rosters to 53 players by Tuesday afternoon.

Jordan Sigler

Jordan Sigler is a sports writer with a decade of experience as a journalist, including his time as a breaking news/day cops reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. His sports coverage across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, and college football world has also been featured at ChiCitySports, Gridiron Heroics, Pro Football Network, and Athlon Sports. Based in Austin, Texas, Jordan graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Texas Tech University in 2014

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