Former Las Vegas Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler probably wanted to trade up for C.J. Stroud in last year’s draft. However, head coach Josh McDaniels, who has since been fired, insisted on Jimmy Garoppolo.

According to Sports Illustrated, former Raiders GM Dave Ziegler was eyeing quarterback C.J. Stroud in last year’s draft and wanted to trade up to the first or second pick to get the playmaker.

“Dave felt that Stroud was a generational talent. ‘Z’ had done his research. He knew the cost of moving up to No. 1 and No. 2,” the report said.

It continues, “”He felt the price was cheap, and he was willing to do almost anything that didn’t include Maxx Crosby. He and Josh agreed that the price was too high for No. 1, but Z wanted to move up to No. 2 and get Stroud. He could have made the deal.”

Josh McDaniels, fired as head coach of the Raiders a few weeks ago, insisted on luring longtime 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo to Las Vegas in the offseason. The two had already worked together at the New England Patriots.

“Josh was hell-bent on signing Jimmy, and despite all the health issues he had and Dave’s incessant warnings that it was a mistake, Josh got his way,” Sports Illustrated continued.

In addition, the 47-year-old is said not to have identified Stroud as an interesting prospect, but to have rated Bryce Young higher. The former Alabama playmaker ultimately went first to the Carolina Panthers, Stroud second to Houston.

After a disappointing start to the season, the Raiders, who still have a chance of making the playoffs under interim head coach Antonio Pierce, benched “Jimmy G”.

Instead, a rookie is now also starting in Las Vegas: Fourth-round pick Aidan O’Connell. In the five games in which the 25-year-old was allowed to start, he managed two wins and three losses