The Las Vegas Raiders might have inadvertently admitted that they may not make a move for Aaron Rodgers this off-season with their general manager Dave Ziegler dropping a hint on their plans.
The Raiders released Derek Carr after a disappointing campaign with so much expected. The team did Carr a favour last year in trading his close friend and former college teammate Davante Adams away from Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, where Adams would go on to lead the NFL in receiving touchdowns.
But Carr had struggled throughout the year, as he got a reputation for being mistake-prone and failing to get the best out of a strong supporting cast. Raiders benched him in the final three games during the season to prevent an injury and left the door open for them to move on from him.
This led to questions about whether they'd be interested in reuniting Adams with his long-time quarterback Rodgers, who is looking increasingly likely to move on from the Green Bay Packers.
Reports have suggested that the team are looking to trade the four-time MVP, as they could acquire a haul of draft picks while giving their first-round draft pick Jordan Love a chance to start at quarterback.
The Raiders have been mentioned as an ideal landing spot for Rodgers, who himself has flirted with the idea of joining the team.
But the team's general manager might have poured cold water on that move happening, with quotes suggesting that they could indeed look at the NFL draft for a new signal-caller rather than acquire Rodgers.
Speaking on Barstool Sports' Bussin' With the Boys podcast, Ziegler said: "We're in charge of filling the most important position on the team.
"There's some pressure that comes along with that. And however we fill it, it doesn't mean we're going to have an immediate answer this year.
"But, at the end of the day, we have to have an answer in some form or fashion. There's pressure that comes along with it. That's also part of the excitement too."
Ziegler stated that the team might not have an "immediate answer this year", could also mean that they may wait until next season to draft a quarterback, and could look to start with last year's back-up Jarrett Stidham in 2023.
The 2024 NFL draft class is set to see two prospects become eligible who many experts see as greater players than those entering in the 2023 draft, in Caleb Williams (USC) and Drake Maye (UNC).
In order to be in the running for those players, they will not be able to trade for Rodgers, who is likely to cost around two first-round picks in order to acquire him.
Rodgers - who was drafted by the Packers in 2005 before assuming the starting role from Brett Favre in 2008 - has refused to rule out joining a new franchise via trade this offseason.
The four-time MVP is likely to make his decision on his future in the coming days prior to the free agency period beginning on March 15.
