Derek Carr he is not the only defender of Raiders who is generating exchange interest. Ian Rapoport reports from NFL.com (via Twitter) that teams have a “legitimate and real” business interest in the backup Marcus Mariota.
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Mariota joined the Raiders last season in a two-year deal for $ 17.6 million. He had an IR stint in September and October and did not leave the bank until the Raiders’ defeat in week 15 to the Chargers. Mariota completed 17 of his 28 passing attempts for 226 yards, a touchdown and an interception in that game, and added another score and 88 yards on the ground. Rapoport says that a singular performance caught the attention of other teams, with some organizations believing that Mariota could have a career similar to that of Ryan Tannehill (who, of course, resurrected his career after replacing Mariota in Tennessee).
Mariota showed flashes of promise during his five seasons in Tennessee, but he obviously disappointed considering his general second-choice pedigree. The quarterback had 18 to 16 during his last three seasons with the Titans, but also had only 31 touchdowns against 25 interceptions.
We learned earlier this week that the teams had asked about Carr, and reports indicated that the Raiders were willing to listen to offers from their starting quarterback. Rapoport clarifies that, although the Raiders do not hang up the phone of any team, they are not eager to move on with the 29-year-old, and a deal for Carr would be “incredibly expensive”.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.