Damian Lillard Urges Raiders to Trade for Shedeur Sanders Amid Struggles

Las Vegas, NV — Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard has weighed in on the struggling Las Vegas Raiders, calling for the team to trade for Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Lillard’s sentiment follows a disappointing 40-6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, which dropped the Raiders’ record to 1-4 this season.

After the game, Lillard expressed his frustration via social media, stating, “Time to gone ahead and trade for Shedeur man smfh.” His comments come as criticisms of Raiders veteran quarterback Geno Smith grow amid his high turnover rate, including two interceptions against the Colts and a total of nine in five games.

Sanders, a third-string quarterback for Cleveland, has yet to see the field this season as the Browns have named rookie Dillon Gabriel their starter. Gabriel performed admirably in his first career start, throwing for 190 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings while veteran Joe Flacco was benched.

Lillard’s call for a quarterback shift resonates within Las Vegas, as fans grapple with Smith’s underwhelming performance. The Raiders have struggled offensively, failing to score a touchdown in two games this season, prompting conversations about potential changes.

While a trade for Sanders seems unlikely in the immediate future, the dynamics of the NFL are fluid. Sanders previously expressed confidence in his abilities, saying, “I know if you see the quarterback play in the league right now, I know I’m capable of doing better than that.”

Critics, including former Eagles linebacker Emmanuel Acho, caution against putting Sanders behind a struggling offensive line and an inconsistent roster. “You want to put Shedeur behind that poor offensive line and hope that he does what?” Acho questioned, highlighting the potential pitfalls of such a move.

For the time being, the Raiders appear to be stuck with Smith while facing mounting pressure from fans and players alike. As the team looks to right the ship, Lillard’s suggestion may linger as a potential spark for change.