Marcus Mariota, the Raiders quarterback, is the betting favorite to be the Patriots’ first quarterback in Week 1 of the 2021 season, according to SportsBetting.com.
The site provides an overview of the odds of 5/2 (+250). The shift comes as rumors surround the market ahead of the opening of the new competition year on March 17th.
Mariota is still under contract with the Raiders. After spending the first five seasons of his career with the Titans, he signed a two-year $ 17.6 million deal with Las Vegas ahead of the 2020 season.
But the Raiders have little space on the caps and Mariota can give the team more room to maneuver. They re-signed with Nathan Peterman, who stood behind Derek Carr and Mariota on the Raiders’ depth chart in 2020. Mariota is expected to receive $ 10.75 million for next season.
Mariota made only one appearance last season, when Carr went down with a groin injury in the first quarter of the Raiders’ Week 15 game against the Chargers. He put on a solid show, threw for 226 yards, a touchdown and an interception, adding 88 yards to the ground and another touchdown in what ended up being a 30-27 overtime loss.
Just behind Mariota on the betting favorites is Colt’s quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who is listed with a 7/2 odds. Brissett will be a free agent in 2021, so a reunion with the Patriots is possible.
After starting for Indianapolis in 2019, Brissett supported Philip Rivers in 2020. He played in 11 games, mainly in low-risk situations. During his four years at Indianapolis, Brissett set a record of 11-19 as a starter, throwing for 6,059 yards, 31 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Jarrett Stidham (4/1), Cam Newton (5/1) and a rookie quarterback (5/1) complete the top five.
Stidham has two more years on his rookie contract with the Patriots. Newton will be a free agent when the competition year begins in March, but said earlier this week that he would be interested in returning to New England.
Among the possible beginning quarterbacks, Mac Jones is the choice of many concept experts. Former Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis recently pleaded with his former employer to include Jones in April’s draft.
SportsBetting.com’s odds of who will be the Patriots’ starting quarterback in Week 1 of next season features a total of 26 quarterbacks, including longshots such as Ben Roethlisberger, Dak Prescott and Matt Ryan.
You can see the entire list here:
Marcus Mariota 5/2
Jacoby Brissett 7/2
Jarrett Stidham 4/1
Cam Newton 5/1
Rookie quarterback 5/1
Blaine Gabbert 7/1
Andy Dalton 8/1
Deshaun Watson 10/1
Brian Hoyer 12/1
Joe Flacco 15/1
Mike Glennon 15/1
Jimmy Garoppolo 15/1
Blake Bortles 20/1
Colt McCoy 20/1
Tyrod Taylor 20/1
Ryan Fitzpatrick 20/1
Sam Darnold 25/1
Geno Smith 25/1
Robert Griffin III 25/1
Matt Barkley 30/1
Mitchell Trubisky 40/1
Jake Dolegala 40/1
Roof Prescott 50/1
Jameis Winston 50/1
Ben Roethlisberger 60/1
Matt Ryan 70/1