Raiders Rumors: 'Pierce Wants to Be Aggressive' in Replacing QBs Garoppolo, O'Connell

Having been installed as the permanent successor to Josh McDaniels, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce "wants to be aggressive in landing a new QB," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo.

Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 1,205 yards, seven touchdowns and nine interceptions in seven appearances before getting replaced by Aidan O'Connell. O'Connell wasn't much better, finishing with 2,218 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions through the air.

The Raiders as a team finished 22nd in touchdown passes, 25th in completion percentage and 28th in passer rating.

Garoppolo could be out the door. Designating him as a post-June 1 cut would save $12.1 million while saddling Las Vegas with $15.5 million in 2024 and $12.8 million in 2025.

The problem for Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco is that this offseason doesn't feature a robust quarterback market.

Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield are the two most notable free agents. The former is recovering from a torn Achilles, and the latter will come at a premium given the dearth of options at the position.

The Chicago Bears' Justin Fields or Arizona Cardinals' Kyler Murray could plausibly get dealt before Week 1. The jury is still out on Fields as a franchise QB, while Murray's five-year, $230.5 million extension hasn't aged well so far.

The Raiders aren't in a great place in the draft, either, if they want to grab a quarterback in the first round. The NFL Network report noted Pierce helped to recruit Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels to Arizona State, but Daniels might not be available when Las Vegas is on the clock at No. 13. And that's certainly way too late to get either USC's Caleb Williams or North Carolina's Drake Maye.

Whatever route they decide, this is certainly one way for Pierce and Telesco to set the tone early into their tenures.