NFL Trade Rumors: Raiders' QB Quandary Is Long-Term Problem

The Oakland Raiders have started 10 different quarterbacks since they last made the playoffs in 2002.

Rich Gannon ended his run a few games into 2004 giving way to Kerry Collins for nearly two years. Collins turned into Andrew Walter and Aaron Brooks in 2006 which resulted in the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. That pick turned into JaMarcus Russell.

He didn't start immediately though and they featured a combination of Daunte Culpepper and Josh McCown until the young QB was ready.

Russell was never ready though, and in 2009 the Raiders also started Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye as they ended the unsuccessful era of one of the biggest busts in the NFL history.

In 2010, they continued the QB carousel charade and wound up with a combination of Jason Campbell and Gradkowski. Somewhere along the line it worked just enough for the Raiders to earn their first non-losing season since 2002.

Campbell, who started majority of the games in 2010 campaign, opened 2011 as the clear-cut starter but was just lost for at least four weeks with the possibility of missing the rest of the season.

There are only several hours left until the trade deadline and the Raiders now have to decide if their chances at a postseason berth can survive with Kyle Boller under center.

Oakland has been in touch with former Jaguars QB David Garrard, but the free agent is dealing with a back injury and isn't an option.

They also reached out to free agent Josh McCown; the same McCown that shared time in Oakland in 2007.

To complicate matters even further, the only quarterback on Oakland's roster without an expiring contract is rookie Terrelle Pryor.

What, then, do the Raiders do? This situation isn't just about finishing out ten games, they'll also have to consider a long-term solution to their never ending problem.

The only two trade options on the table right now include Kyle Orton and Carson Palmer.

Bengals owner Mike Brown is turning down all advances for the former No. 1 overall pick.

As for Orton, he was just demoted in Denver because the Broncos weren't winning (shocker).

He's scheduled to be a free agent at year's end as well and would basically be on a 10-game tryout should the Raiders spring a deal for him.

The only question is, is the price worth that 10-game tryout?

Another interesting wrinkle is Vikings QB Donovan McNabb. He's done nothing but lead the Vikes to a 1-5 start, but his potential benching for rookie Christian Ponder could strike some last minute help (don't expect much from this though).

Oakland is going to need another starting quarterback next year. Whether they were planning to re-sign Campbell at year's end was based on his performance this season.

Unless backup Kyle Boller makes a drastic career change, the former first-round pick isn't the answer either.

None of this is surprising to say the least.

The Raiders haven't been able to make up their mind on a coach in the last decade and that is part of the problem as well.

If Hue Jackson wants to make his reign in Oakland different then he's going to have to handle the quarterback situation differently.

It is never easy when it comes to the Oakland Raiders. This quarterback problem of theirs isn't going away any time soon either.

If Orton dons the Silver and Black before day's end, don't expect it to be a long-term thing. It never is.

Despite playoff hopes this year, the Oakland Raiders are another team that could use a little Luck (Andrew) next year and year beyond.