As the NFL preseason wrapped up on August 24, 2025, all 32 teams found themselves in a flurry of roster moves, trades, and last-minute adjustments ahead of the regular season kickoff on September 4. The final week leading up to cutdown day has been nothing short of dramatic, with headline-grabbing trades and untimely injuries shaking up quarterback rooms and depth charts across the league. The Las Vegas Raiders, in particular, have been thrust into the spotlight after a devastating injury to backup quarterback Aidan O’Connell and the subsequent scramble to shore up their quarterback depth—a microcosm of the league-wide urgency that defines this time of year.
O’Connell’s preseason went from bad to worse when he exited Saturday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals with a serious wrist injury. The diagnosis: out for six to eight weeks. The timing couldn’t be more brutal for Las Vegas, who had penciled in O’Connell as the backup to newly acquired starter Geno Smith. With only rookie Cam Miller left healthy on the roster, the Raiders’ quarterback situation is suddenly precarious. Head coach Pete Carroll didn’t sugarcoat the challenge, saying, “We just got to see what we can do and keep developing Cam. Fortunately, he got a lot of playing time tonight, and that’ll help him.” When pressed about Miller’s readiness to serve as Smith’s backup, Carroll played it close to the vest: “We’ll see. Let’s see what happens here. We’ve got to check the film.”
Miller, a sixth-round pick who was supposed to be a developmental project, now faces the daunting possibility of being thrust into action far sooner than expected. The Raiders’ front office, led by general manager John Spytek, is reportedly evaluating all options, from free agency to the trade market, to address the sudden depth crisis. One name that’s drawing plenty of buzz is Dorian Thompson-Robinson, a dual-threat quarterback with local ties and a history with Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly from their days at UCLA. Thompson-Robinson, who was recently traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, finds himself in a crowded quarterback room in Philly, making him a logical candidate for a move. As Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton put it, “Dorian Thompson-Robinson played under Chip Kelly at UCLA. Eagles have 4 QBs. DTR to the Raiders sounds logical to me.”
Thompson-Robinson’s connection to Las Vegas runs deep—he played high school football at Bishop Gorman in the city and knows Kelly’s system inside and out. The Raiders’ interest in him isn’t just about filling a roster spot; it’s about finding a young quarterback with upside who could develop into a long-term asset. The fact that Spytek has a prior working relationship with Eagles GM John Spytek (yes, they share the same last name) only adds fuel to the speculation that a deal could come together quickly. With the Eagles already boasting a quarterback depth chart that includes Tanner McKee, Kyle McCord, and Thompson-Robinson, the odds seem favorable for the Raiders to strike a deal if the price is right.
Elsewhere around the league, the days leading up to roster cutdowns have seen a cascade of trades as teams look to address weaknesses, shed salary, or acquire future draft capital. The Kansas City Chiefs, for example, made a move to shore up their defensive line by acquiring veteran tackle Derrick Nnadi from the New York Jets, along with a 2026 seventh-round pick, in exchange for a 2026 sixth-rounder and a future pick swap. For the Chiefs, bringing back Nnadi—who had spent his entire seven-year career in Kansas City before a brief offseason detour—was about adding a proven run-stuffer to a group in need of experience. The Jets, meanwhile, have been aggressive in bolstering their own defensive front, acquiring Harrison Phillips from the Minnesota Vikings and Jowon Briggs from the Cleveland Browns in a series of moves designed to add depth and flexibility.
The Vikings, for their part, have been busy reshaping their quarterback room. After trading Sam Howell to the Eagles for a package of draft picks, Minnesota quickly signed veteran Carson Wentz to compete for the backup job behind second-year starter J.J. McCarthy. Howell, who had been acquired by the Vikings earlier in the offseason, never found his footing in camp or preseason action. According to ESPN, “The Vikings signed veteran Carson Wentz to replace him.” The Eagles’ strategy, on the other hand, appears to be casting a wide net for young quarterbacks, with Howell joining McKee, McCord, and Thompson-Robinson in a crowded competition for roster spots or practice squad assignments.
San Francisco has also been active, addressing injuries and depth concerns by trading for running back Brian Robinson Jr. from the Washington Commanders and wide receiver Skyy Moore from the Chiefs. Robinson, who was on the outs in Washington after the emergence of Chris Rodriguez Jr. and rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt, arrives in the Bay Area as a physical runner who can spell Christian McCaffrey and bolster the 49ers’ ground attack. Moore, meanwhile, joins a depleted receiving corps and brings experience despite a quiet 2024 campaign.
Other notable moves include the Denver Broncos sending promising wide receiver Devaughn Vele to the New Orleans Saints for a pair of draft picks, the Houston Texans and Eagles swapping tight end Harrison Bryant and wide receiver John Metchie III, and the Las Vegas Raiders trading cornerback Jakorian Bennett to Philadelphia for defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV. Each of these deals reflects the league’s relentless churn as teams look to balance present needs with future flexibility.
Perhaps the summer’s most eye-popping trade came back in late June, when the Miami Dolphins sent three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a late-round pick swap. The Steelers took on the bulk of Ramsey’s $26.6 million salary for 2025 and gave Smith a one-year extension worth $12 million. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, “Ramsey will get a $1.5 million raise this season, bringing his 2025 compensation up to $26.6 million.” The move signaled Pittsburgh’s intent to make a run while its defensive core remains intact, even as it meant parting with Fitzpatrick, a stalwart in their secondary.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins addressed their own needs by acquiring tight end Darren Waller from the New York Giants, who came out of retirement for a late-career run with Miami. As Waller told those close to him, he “missed football” and was eager to return for his love of the game.
All these moves point to a league in constant motion, where no roster is ever truly set and every team is searching for that elusive edge. For the Raiders, the coming days will be crucial as they navigate the aftermath of O’Connell’s injury and weigh their options at quarterback. Will they roll the dice on Cam Miller, or will a homecoming for Dorian Thompson-Robinson become the next big headline in a wild NFL offseason?
As the regular season looms, one thing’s for sure: the NFL’s trademark unpredictability is alive and well, and the scramble for roster perfection is far from over.
