Raiders Predicted to Replace Minshew With MVP Candidate for $160 Million

Week 5 proved a tough challenge for the Las Vegas Raiders , who fell to their AFC West Division rival the Denver Broncos by a score of 34-18 on Sunday, October 6, and saw both of their top two quarterbacks struggle mightily.

Gardner Minshew started the game, but head coach Antonio Pierce pulled him late in the third quarter after a 12-of-17 performance for 137 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs . Second-year QB Aidan O'Connell stepped in but fared no better, finishing his day 10-of-20 for 94 yards, 1 INT and a worse QBR and passer rating than those Minshew mustered.

The Raiders fell to 2-3 on the year, as star wide receiver Davante Adams remains out with a hamstring injury and is likely to be in another uniform before the NFL's November 5 trade deadline passes.

None of that is good news for the Raiders, who clearly don't have a long-term answer under center moving forward. However, Spotrac managing editor Mike Ginnitti predicted Thursday that they will acquire one by next offseason.

Ginnitti made his projection on the October 3 edition of "The Spotrac Podcast." During the conversation, he suggested that Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold -- currently 5-0 and a frontrunner for the league's MVP Award -- is most likely to end up in Las Vegas on a massive new contract in 2025.

"Four years, $160 million to the Las Vegas Raiders," Ginnitti said . "It’s cap-adjusted Baker [Mayfield] ."

Mayfield inked a three-year, $100 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after leading the franchise to an NFC South Division title and a playoff victory last season.

Darnold came into Week 5 with 932 yards and a league-leading 11 TD passes compared to just 3 INTs. He didn't play particularly well against the New York Jets in London, throwing for 179 yards and an INT . However, the Vikings won the game and now head into their bye week with an undefeated record.

Darnold inked a one-year, $10 million deal with Minnesota in March after spending the 2023 campaign as the backup QB for the San Francisco 49ers .