Did the Vikings Unintentionally Save the Raiders from a Major Blunder in 2025? - Raiders Insider
Imagine if the Raiders had made a different choice last year—would their fate be entirely different today? The 2024 NFL draft saw the Raiders snag a hidden gem, but a recent revelation suggests Tom Brady and his team were eyeing a quarterback drafted before All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers, who they selected 13th overall. But here's where it gets intriguing...
Last week, a bombshell report emerged following the Vikings' dismissal of GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, whose relationship with head coach Kevin O’Connell had reportedly soured. According to Daniel Rotman, a former Pro Football Focus analyst, O’Connell was keen on retaining Sam Darnold and opposed drafting McCarthy. And this is the part most people miss: Rotman claims the Vikings were ‘on the brink’ of trading McCarthy to Las Vegas just a year ago.
In hindsight, the Raiders likely don’t regret passing on McCarthy, but it begs the question: What were they willing to give up for him? If the proposed trade included this year’s first-round pick, the Vikings could’ve secured one of the most coveted selections in recent draft history. But here's where it gets controversial: Had the Raiders acquired McCarthy, Geno Smith might still be in Seattle, and it’s doubtful the Seahawks would’ve reached the Super Bowl this year.
Now, let’s dig deeper. If the Raiders pursued both McCarthy and Matthew Stafford before settling on Smith, it implies Smith was, at best, their third choice for the quarterback position. While trading for Smith may have been a misstep, there’s a silver lining: it potentially cleared the path for Fernando Mendoza’s arrival in Las Vegas. As the saying goes, all’s well that ends well.
But here’s the burning question: Was the Raiders’ decision to trade for Smith a necessary detour, or a costly mistake? And could McCarthy have been the missing piece they’ve been searching for? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark some fiery opinions!
