Raiders Near a Commitment to Hostetler : Pro football: Agent for free-agent quarterback says deal is close.

If Jeff Hostetler isn’t a Raider by now, he figures to be in the next 24 hours.

Marvin Demoff, agent for the free-agent quarterback from the New York Giants, met with Raider owner Al Davis Tuesday night in this desert community, site of an owners’ meeting, to iron out the final details of the three-year, $7.5-million contract the two parties have already agreed upon in principle.

“There’s been a commitment by the Raiders to Jeff,” Demoff said, “and by Jeff to the Raiders. I’d be extremely surprised if Jeff was anywhere other than with the Raiders in the next couple of days.”

Demoff discounted rumors that Hostetler is also considering the Minnesota Vikings, should they fail to sign the quarterback they are courting, Jim McMahon.

“It’s gone far enough that we are not talking to anyone else,” Demoff said. “There are one or two details--extremely minor details--to be ironed out and then he’ll be a Raider.

“We will possibly reach an understanding on this tonight (Tuesday).”

The Raiders said only that they would like to conclude this quarterback business soon.

Hostetler is scheduled to fly to Los Angeles on Thursday.

Maintaining their tradition of mystery and intrigue, team officials were also continuing to meet with Greg Campbell, agent for quarterback Bobby Hebert, a free agent from the New Orleans Saints.

Hostetler has indicated that he wouldn’t travel 3,000 miles to get embroiled in a quarterback controversy. If that’s what he wanted, he could stay in New York and try to challenge Phil Simms for the Giants’ job.

There won’t be any challenge to Hostetler from one of last year’s Raider starters, Jay Schroeder. Demoff, who is also Schroeder’s agent, is trying to find a new team for the veteran, an unrestricted free agent.

But Schroeder, his reputation hardly enhanced by his up-and-down status last season, may have to wait until this first round of musical chairs ends and quarterbacks Hostetler, Hebert, McMahon, Steve Beuerlein and Steve Bono are firmly seated for next season.

“It’s sensitive to me because I also represent Jay,” Demoff said, “but I do believe it’s a good situation for Jeff.

“What I’m really trying to say is, I really believe the Raiders are going in a new and clear direction.”

That direction, Demoff said, is away from the controversy generated by the long-running feud between Davis and running back Marcus Allen, a feud that went public last season.

“Marcus was a tremendous distraction,” Demoff said. “I’m not saying who was right or wrong in the thing, but it was distracting to everybody. It was a detriment to the players and it was a detriment to management.

“Al has a sincere desire to have clarity so that everybody is going the same way. That’s such a perfect situation for Jeff.”

Times staff writer T.J. Simers contributed to this story.