While Cam Ward is projected to be a highly sought-after selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders have captured his attention. The Raiders’ hiring of Pete Carroll as head coach, and the subsequent addition of Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator, has significantly increased Ward’s interest in the team.
Even though the Raiders hold the sixth overall pick in the draft, Cam Ward has openly expressed his strong desire to play in Las Vegas.
Cam Ward Comments on Las Vegas Raiders, Pete Carroll
“It would mean a lot, especially with the coaching staff they have,” Ward said via Mitchell Renz on X. “Chip Kelly, the things that he can do with the quarterback moving him outside the pocket, the concepts he’s done.
“He does in the intermediate game. It’ll fit my play style and Pete Carroll, he’s a legendary coach and so if I’m lucky to go there, I know it’ll work out.”
Carroll’s unique perspective, informed by his extensive experience at both the collegiate and professional levels, is a significant asset. He is one of the select few coaches to have achieved both an NCAA national championship and a Super Bowl victory. Carroll guided the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl win in 2013 and a subsequent appearance in 2014. He now has the opportunity to bring that experience and success to Las Vegas.
At this juncture, the Las Vegas Raiders’ quarterback depth chart features Aiden O’Connell, Gardner Minshew II, and Desmond Ridder. While the team demonstrated consistent competitiveness throughout the season, despite their final win-loss record, this performance may have inadvertently impacted their draft positioning. The Raiders secured the sixth overall pick, a slot where it’s widely anticipated that top quarterback prospects Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders will have already been selected.
It’s important to remember that instances of quarterback prospects refusing to play for specific teams have occurred in the past. Eli Manning’s 2004 declaration to the San Diego Chargers that he would not play for them, which led to his draft rights being traded to the New York Giants, is a notable example. The Giants then went on to win a Super Bowl with Manning.
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While it’s improbable that Ward would replicate such a maneuver, the contemporary landscape of professional sports leaves room for unexpected developments. His expressed admiration for Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly is certainly intriguing. Regardless, Ward’s talent and potential will undoubtedly attract significant interest from numerous teams. His impressive performances at Washington State and Miami have solidified his status as a highly regarded prospect, leading some to suggest that the Raiders should have strategically positioned themselves to draft him.
Ward possesses considerable upside, and his talent is undeniable. Teams will have approximately another month to evaluate Ward before the NFL Draft, at which point final decisions will be made. It’s possible that, by then, he could be joining Las Vegas.