When the Oakland Raiders decided they were pretty much done with running back Darren McFadden this season, there was a question of how much interest there would be in the underperforming player. With his stats lower than we’d like to see them and his health hardly a selling point, McFadden’s days of being a franchise back are behind him.
That apparently won’t stop his former head coach Hue Jackson from flirting with the idea of using him in his new offensive system up in Cincinnati. Jackson, who was recently promoted to offensive coordinator in Cincinnati following the departure of now Redskins head coach Jay Gruden, spoke about his desire to possibly sign McFadden to compliment and mentor Giovanni Bernard.
"“You guys know how I feel about Darren McFadden; he’s still one of my favorite players,” Jackson told ESPN affiliate 95.7 The Game in San Francisco on Friday. “What a tremendous talent. But I really like my little guy Gio [Bernard]. He had a real good season. But I don’t think you can ever have too many good backs.”"
McFadden is a free agent which means there’s a good chance the Bengals sign him. He may draw interest in other markets, but given his health and his less than stellar stats, chances are the Bengals will be the best option for McFadden and it will be up to Jackson to revive the career of his former back.