7-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady has a different role now. From player to owner, he needs to tackle the responsibility of building a team for the Las Vegas Raiders. And the fans are obviously expecting the team to reflect what Brady personifies – a winner. Well, assembling a team is like putting together the pieces of a puzzle – the right pieces have to be placed in their appropriate place. They installed Pete Carroll as Head Coach (HC)—one key piece in place. Another important piece of any NFL team is the quarterback (QB). But what options do they have?

They have got a suggestion from a former QB himself. Kurt Benkert who has played in the NFL let his opinion known on Twitter (now X): “There are a few teams that would’ve for sure been elevated with (Justin) Fields over their current situation as well. Browns, Raiders, Titans, Arguable Jaguars …” Is Brady listening? Or more importantly, is Kurt Benkert right in his assessment?

Justin Fields is a 25-year-old QB who is currently at Pittsburgh Steelers. How good is he? Well, if we are to go by stats, he’s not half bad. In fact, when Steelers’ superstar QB Russell Wilson was unavailable for the first 6 games of the 2024 regular season, Fields started and had a 4-2 record. In those six games, he ranked fifth in rushing yards among all quarterbacks and tied for fifth with five rushing touchdowns. His highlight? In week 4, Fields threw for 367 yards and had 3 touchdowns against the Colts. However, in the 10 games during the regular season, Fields had 1,106 yards and 5 touchdowns. Also, he had 16 sacks and 1 interception as well.

To make things more interesting, after the Steelers’ season got over in the NFL wildcard round, there have been reports about how the Steelers offensive coordinator wanted Fields to continue despite Wilson’s return. And why not? The defenders sacked Russ 33 times and intercepted him 5 times in just 11 games. And the losing streak of 5 games in the end made things worse.

Clearly, Fields has made a few fans. But Brady and Carroll will make the final decision. Carroll, however, has already cleared the air over his Russell Wilson stance.

Raiders’ QB dilemma: Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, or a dark horse?

With the ongoing QB debate, coach Pete Carroll could lean toward Russ. Well, Carroll won the Super Bowl in 2014 with the Seattle Seahawks. And his QB? Russell Wilson. It was under Carroll’s leadership that a young Wilson got the chance to be a starting QB, and together, they made the Seahawks an NFL powerhouse, qualifying for the playoffs 8 times in 10 seasons.

And now in a few weeks, the free agency will open and Wilson will become available. There’s also the NFL Draft that will follow. So, is there a reunion on the cards? Well, it’s not up to Pete.

As per sports commentator Mike Florio: “It’s not Carroll’s call. The decision will be at least heavily influenced — if not ultimately made — by minority owner/majority voice Tom Brady. He’ll surely have an opinion as to whether Wilson can be the answer for the Raiders.” That’s correct. Brady’s opinion will guide the quarterback selection.

However, Carroll himself clarified nothing has been decided yet: “It’s so early, and we’re just in the midst of trying to find the puzzle pieces. We’re not even putting them together yet, so I can’t even say.” But we can’t deny the fact that Brady might keep the past relationship between the coach and Wilson in mind.

It will be a decision that Tom, Pete, and the new General Manager of the Raiders, John Spytek, make together. Interesting times for Raiders fans. Watch out for the QB hunt.