Playing matchmaker with HC candidates and QB prospects
Two of the biggest items on the Las Vegas Raiders‘ offseason to-do list are hiring a new head coach and finding a new quarterback. The latter will likely happen during the 2025 NFL Draft and each decision will impact the other.
So, let’s play matchmaker and pair the top quarterback prospects with a few of the top offensive-minded head coach candidates based on scheme fit.
Shedeur Sanders: Ben Johnson, Shanahan/McVay Tree
While Johnson has never worked for Kyle Shanahan or Sean McVay, Johnson’s offense is fairly similar to the system that stems from that coaching tree. It’s predicated on a strong running game that’s married to a play-action passing attack. Quarterbacks don’t necessarily need to have the strongest arm, but they do need to be accurate when throwing dig routes over the middle and make good decisions with the football.
That describes Sanders’ game pretty well. He’s one of the most accurate passers in this year’s draft class and doesn’t put the ball in harm’s way with poor decisions often. Also, the Colorado product is tough in the pocket and willing to take a hit while throwing. That’s another requirement in this system since it doesn’t include a ton of hot reads.
The two main head coach candidates who stem from the Shanahan/McVay tree are Liam Coen and Bobby Slowik. Another notable quarterback prospect who would be a good fit here is Syracuse’s Kyle McCord, who has gained some steam recently and could climb up draft boards with a strong performance in the East-West Shrine Bowl.
Cam Ward: Joe Brady
Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images
Wards’ biggest competitive advantage in this year’s draft class is also what gets him into trouble; creating off-script plays. The former Hurricane has the combination of athleticism to scramble and the arm talent to execute jaw-dropping throws from multiple arm slots. However, he also can try to play hero ball and do too much, leading to frustrating turnovers.
The problem with that playing style is coaches don’t want to “overcoach” by telling the quarterback to avoid the off-script plays, taking away what makes the player great. But, at the same time, interceptions and fumbles can cost the team games. So, there’s a delicate balance between reigning a player in and letting them run wild.
Meanwhile, Brady has experience working with and getting the most out of these types of quarterbacks. At LSU, Joe Burrow would constantly escape sacks, scramble around and find a receiver down the field. That’s also one of Josh Allen’s strengths, and one of his biggest issues early on was toeing the line between creating plays and being reckless.
Since Brady took over as the Bills’ offensive coordinator, Allen has been able to find that balance much more effectively and become an MVP candidate.
Jalen Milroe, Jaxson Dart: Todd Monken
The reason Monken has become a head coach candidate is his ability to maximize Lamar Jackson’s skill set. The Baltimore Ravens offensive play-caller has an innovative scheme that takes advantage of Jackson’s rushing ability, via both designed runs and scrambles in the passing game. Also, the two-time MVP has a strong arm to push the ball down the field which Monken has capitalized on.
That pretty much describes Milroe’s game. He’s the biggest rushing threat in this year’s draft class and has a pretty good deep ball despite struggling on the intermediate throws. Meanwhile, Dart isn’t on Jackson’s or Milroe’s level, but the Ole Miss product can make plays with his legs as well. Additionally, he has plenty of arm talent to throw deep but is slow when working through reads and can make poor decisions.
Monken, who was Georgia’s offensive coordinator before heading to Baltimore, runs a more “college-style” scheme that has simpler reads and can take advantage of athletic passers. That’s what would make the SEC quarterbacks good fits in Monken’s offense.