Tom Brady has moved quickly to form a three-man quarterback shortlist for the Las Vegas Raiders after learning that Matthew Stafford is staying with the Los Angeles Rams.
News of Stafford’s decision surfaced earlier on Friday, just dats after the 36-year-old quarterback met with Brady to discuss potentially heading to the Raiders.
Now, according to NFL Insider Adam Schefter, Brady has drawn up a three-man shortlist ahead of the new era of the franchise under head coach Pete Carroll.
The three names in question are Russell Wilson, Sam Darnold and Justin Fields.
Wilson and Fields played together last season at the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Darnold got the Minnesota Vikings to the playoffs last year.
Both are now free agents, with the 36-year-old Wilson previously winning the Super Bowl under Carroll when they were both at the Seattle Seahawks.
Tom Brady is moving fast after learning that Matthew Stafford is staying with the Rams
Justin Fields (left) and Russell Wilson are both now under consideration by Brady
Sam Darnold, a free agent after a good year at the Vikings, is also being considered
Fields played the first six games of the season for the Steelers last year, leading them to a 4-2 record before Wilson took over as the No 1 starter after recovering from a calf issue.
Darnold, meanwhile, played the full season after JJ McCarthy got a season-ending knee injury in preseason.
Brady and Carroll are overseeing an offseason of upheaval in Vegas, with Brady on board as a minority owner of the franchise.
The Raiders have about $96million in cap space and the sixth pick of the NFL Draft later this year.
Earlier today, they were mooted as a potential trade destination for wide receiver DK Metcalf, who also worked under Carroll at the Seahawks.
Brady was reported to have met with Stafford during a ski trip at his Montana home amid his pursuit to convince Stafford to make the move from Hollywood to Sin City.
Brady’s agent, Don Yee, later stated to Sports Illustrated that the now-Fox Sports broadcaster did not welcome Stafford to his home and it was a chance encounter.
Speculation surrounding Stafford’s career with the team had been running rampant over the past few weeks, but now a decision has been made on his future and he is staying in California.
