Derek Carr isn’t the only Raiders quarterback generating trading interest. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport Reports (via Twitter) that teams have a “legitimate and real” trading interest in backup Marcus Mariota.
[RELATED: Raiders Open To Derek Carr Trade?]
Mariota joined the Raiders last off-season with a two-year deal worth $ 17.6 million. He had an IR stint in September and October, and he didn’t leave the bench until the loss of Raiders’ Week 15 against the Chargers. Mariota completed 17 of his 28 pass attempts for 226 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in that game, adding another score and 88 yards to the ground. Rapoport says special achievements caught the attention of other teams, with some organizations thinking Mariota could have a similar career path as Ryan Tannehill (who, of course, revived his career after replacing Mariota in Tennessee).
Mariota showed glimpses of promise during his five seasons in Tennessee, but he was clearly disappointed given his pedigree second overall. The quarterback went 18-16 during his last three seasons with the Titans, but he also had just 31 touchdowns versus 25 interceptions.
We heard earlier this week that teams had made inquiries with Carr and reports showed the Raiders were willing to listen to offers from their starting quarterback. Rapoport explains that while the Raiders would not hang up the phone on any team, they are not excited to move on with the 29-year-old, and a deal for Carr would be “incredibly expensive.”
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.