Michael Conroy / AP, file
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Jan. 6, 2024, in Indianapolis. Minshew on Monday, March 11, 2024, agreed to a two-year, $25 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Published Monday, March 11, 2024 | 10:46 a.m.
Updated Monday, March 11, 2024 | 3:16 p.m.
No team in the NFL saw a faster start to the league’s legal tampering period Monday morning than the Raiders.
Las Vegas gained a star player, lost a star player and may have found its next quarterback within hours Monday morning into the afternoon. They started the day by agreeing to terms on a free-agent deal with Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, which ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported is worth $110 million over four years.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) reacts after he scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023.
At around the same time, running back Josh Jacobs departed for the Green Bay Packers via a reported four-year, $48 million contract.
That’s the type of long-term money the organization refused to give Jacobs last offseason after he led the NFL in rushing yards in the 2022-2023 season.
Jacobs skipped most of training camp last year but eventually returned to the Raiders on a 1-year, $12 million deal. He expressed interest in staying this offseason but Las Vegas must not have matched Green Bay’s offer.
Clarity came elsewhere in Las Vegas’ backfield Monday, as the team signed Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew to a 2-year, $25 million deal. Minshew will compete incumbent starter Aidan O’Connell for the quarterback job in training camp this summer.
The Raiders will be the 27-year-old Minshew’s fourth team though he’s primarily served as a backup since coming into the league as a sixth-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017.
Minshew spent most of last season as the Colts’ starter after rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson went down with an injury. He threw for 3,305 yards with 15 touchdowns to nine interceptions and helped eliminate the Raiders from playoff contention with a Week 17 Colts’ win.
The Raiders figure to be a defensively-minded team under now-permanent coach Antonio Pierce, and the addition of Wilkins boosts that identity.
Wilkins was widely considered one of the best free agents on the market this year, sitting No. 2 in ESPN’s overall rankings behind quarterback Kirk Cousins, who's departing the Minnesota Vikings for the Atlanta Falcons. Jacobs came in at No. 24; Minshew was No. 44.
Wilkins is a former first-round pick, 19th overall in 2019, out of Clemson where he won a pair of national championships and All-American nods. He racked up 204 solo tackles and 20.5 sacks in five seasons with the Dolphins. The hope is that he can be even more productive slotted next to one of the best defensive players in the NFL in Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby.
Defensive tackle looked like the position the Raiders were most likely to splurge on in free agency, and they didn’t hesitate in doing so.
Third-year running back Zamir White is expected to succeed Jacobs as the Raiders’ featured back. The former third-round pick out of Georgia finished last season strong with Jacobs sidelined to injury, logging 84 carries for 397 yards and a touchdown in four starts.
Teams are allowed to negotiate with players over the next two days before the official start of the 2024-2025 NFL year at 1 p.m. on Wednesday March 13.
Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or
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