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Todd McShay lists Will Howard-Chip Kelly reunion as option for Raiders after Geno Smith trade

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•03/07/25•

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Former Ohio State QB Will Howard and OC Chip Kelly
© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

As the Las Vegas Raiders headed into free agency, the No. 1 question was who their quarterback would be. Pete Carroll is now in as head coach, and Chip Kelly is heading back to the NFL as his offensive coordinator after one year in the role at Ohio State.

Friday, the Raiders made a splash, trading for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith. That put the No. 6 overall pick into focus after rumors Las Vegas would be in play for Shedeur Sanders. Draft analyst Todd McShay said that’s less likely after the Smith trade and named Ashton Jeanty as one to watch.

But he also said another quarterback could be in the conversation on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft. He said Will Howard could be an option for the Raiders, reuniting him with Kelly in the process.

“Getting questions on Pick No. 6 fallout following Geno Smith trade,” McShay wrote on X. “This move wouldn’t prevent them from taking Shedeur but don’t think that was in the cards regardless. Also, Don’t be surprised to see a couple things from LV on draft weekend: RB Jeanty at 6. And QB Will Howard reuniting with Chip Kelly as a Day 2 pick.”

Howard thrived under Kelly’s watch this past season after transferring from Kansas State. He set new career-highs with a 73% completion percentage, 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns – leading the Big Ten in all three categories. Those figures helped lead Ohio State to its first national championship under Ryan Day.

When it comes to the draft, though, Howard presents an interesting case. Following the NFL Scouting Combine, he came in at No. 8 in ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s quarterback rankings and could be a Day 2 selection.

However, not everyone thinks Howard should be that low in the rankings. FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt, who called many of his games this past season, said Howard should be considered a Top-5 quarterback in the draft.

“Will Howard played, unquestionably, his best football late in the season,” Klatt said. “I don’t think people realize how good Howard was in the playoff. … When he got into the playoff, man? That dude was lights out. He was lights out.”

“You turn on that film in the playoff, man, and it is really good. He has got great command of what’s going on and, in fact, if you talk to Chip Kelly and Ryan Day, they will tell you that he had, at his disposal a lot of times out there, the ability to get Ohio State into the correct play. You only do that – think about it now. Ryan Day and Chip Kelly are, like, two of the most experienced and smartest guys in football and they’re giving Will Howard the keys to the castle on the field in some of the most crucial points in the season and in their careers, in a lot of cases, in terms of the pressure to win last year at Ohio State. It speaks to the level of maturity, experience, and also general smarts from Will Howard.”