Raiders Refusing to Rebuild with Additions of Gardner Minshew and Christian Wilkins

Las Vegas made a splash on the first day of free agency and made their intentions for 2024 clear. What does it mean for this roster and the rest of the offseason?

The Las Vegas Raiders made their intentions clear with the moves they made on the first day of free agency…kind of. By signing quarterback Gardner Minshew and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, Vegas signaled that they will not rebuild.

A new general manager and coach could reasonably want to unload players, but the franchise is choosing to retool on the fly, likely taking several seasons to see a fully developed roster in the mold of the men leading the charge.

A look at each of the moves individually could tell a clearer story and give us clues as to what the team will do over the rest of free agency and the draft. Let’s go through each addition the team made, a re-signing that makes sense, and how other players on the team may be affected.

Quarterback Gardner Minshew

Minshew is right on the line of good backup and low-end starter. He has shown the ability to command an NFL offense and win games. Like Jacoby Brissett, Minshew has a skill set that is highly valuable but not essential for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

Minshew gives the Raiders a floor as a team near the middle. With Aidan O'Connell under center, the team had a much better chance of imploding and failing on offense. With Minshew playing, there is enough talent on this team to fight for a Wild Card spot.

His two-year, $25 million contract is reasonable in any role. If he steps in as a capable starter, Minshew will outplay this pact. Even if he fails to solidify the team, this deal isn’t going to set the franchise back.

Defensive Tackle Christian Wilkins

Wilkins is a different kind of signing. With star pass rusher Maxx Crosby on the roster, Vegas aimed to lock down the middle of the line, one of the team’s biggest needs according to many analysts.

Wilkins was a different kind of player last season from his first four years: After combining for 11.5 sacks and topping out at 4.5, he broke out for 9 sacks in 2023, terrorizing quarterbacks from the inside.

The contract totals $110 million over four years with nearly $85 million guaranteed, so there’s not much room for Wilkins to create extra value. He is being paid like a player at the top of his position, and he will have to hit his best-case scenario to justify the deal.

Wilkins stepping in as an impact pass rusher could change the defense for Las Vegas. Getting after the quarterback is the best way to interrupt an offense; the Raiders are betting that Wilkins will help transform the team into a top unit.

Center Andre James

James started at center for the Raiders over the last few years and performed capably. He re-signed for three years and $24 million with the first two years guaranteed. That is a perfectly reasonable move, the type a good organization would make.

Regardless of who plays quarterback, a solid offensive line will make everything easier. With an entrenched left tackle in Kolton Miller and a recent draft pick in Dylan Parham at left guard, 60% of the line seems spoken for. Upgrades at the other two spots are possible either through the draft or more free agency moves.

Quarterback Aidan O'Connell

O'Connell looked competent in his rookie season. He isn’t likely to develop into a high-end quarterback, so getting better production from the position right now isn’t a bad plan. 

O'Connell can be a perfectly fine backup, depending on what happens with the rest of the offseason; he can also move back to a developmental role if needed. He was thrust onto the field last year due to circumstance and deserves the chance to get better before final judgement; his immediate future isn’t as an NFL starter, though.

Wide Receiver Davante Adams

Adams has been in trade rumors since last year at the deadline, but the team has been adamant about keeping him. With moves to increase the talent on the team, a trade seems even more unlikely.

Jakobi Meyers had his best season after joining the Raiders in free agency last offseason, and he and Adams are one of the more talented receiver duos around. Minshew is set up for success as far as pass catchers go.

Tight end Michael Mayer made very little impact in his rookie season but was seen as maybe the best player at the position in last year's draft class. He isn’t going to top Sam LaPorta’s performance from 2023, but he can become part of a very good pass-catching unit if he develops.

Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers

The Raiders failed to re-sign Jacobs after a year on the franchise tag. Some will see that as a negative, and it could be as far as current talent, but big running back contracts rarely work out, and the team is much better off keeping the offensive line intact and upgrading the defense with that money.

Jacobs received a four-year, $48 million contract, but it is really a one-year deal with options. Even with a non-restrictive contract, the Raiders are better off for letting Jacobs walk.

What’s Next?

Pairing Minshew with a quarterback in the draft would be a good move if the right player is available at the right spot. Reaching for the fourth or fifth passer off the board at No. 13 isn’t a good use of draft capital. That same player in the second round is much more reasonable.

The moves in free agency mean Vegas doesn’t have to force the issue, though, and can continue with Minshew and O'Connell this season, reassessing the market next year. 

Justin Fields is presumably available in a trade from Chicago, who has reportedly not received much in trade offers. Stealing Fields for a fourth-round pick would be a chance to get a look at dynamic young player without having to pay much money in 2024, although they would have to decide on his fifth-year option this offseason.

The team will otherwise be looking to add talent when possible. Free agency doesn’t truly end until after the draft, and roster moves will still happen after that, especially after June 1 cuts. The story is far from written on the 2024 offseason.

The big takeaway from this set of moves is that Las Vegas is planning to be in the playoff conversation this year, fighting for one of the last few spots. If they bottom out, there will probably be major changes. If they stay competitive, though, the roster can be built around the current core.

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