Las Vegas Raiders to sign Marcus Mariota: Grade, reaction, and more
Derek Carr is still the top quarterback on the Las Vegas Raiders roster, but that could all change if Marcus Mariota turns it around.
Although Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden was once again supportive of long-time starting quarterback Derek Carr in a recent press conference, the tea leaves have suggested the team will think about pursuing another quarterback to compete with the former MVP candidate.
According to a report from the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Raiders are close to finalizing a deal with Marcus Mariota, formerly of the Tennessee Titans.
Mariota was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, and while he once led the Titans to the playoffs, his play has fallen off over the past couple of years. A lack of a killer instinct in the pocket and limited arm talent have been issues for the inconsistent Mariota, but Carr has faced many of the same criticisms.
Once heralded quarterbacks in college and early in their NFL careers, Mariota and Carr are two sides of the same coin and could bring out the best in each other as competitors in 2020. At least, that’s what Gruden and Mike Mayock will hope.
Contract Details
The term and length are not know at this time. We will update when they are unveiled.
National Reaction
Back when he did his “QB Camp” show on ESPN, Gruden had Mariota on and raved about how the athletic Heisman Trophy winner ran the “Bubble Y Over” bubble screen option play while at Oregon.
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) March 17, 2020
Broncos got Mariota benched last year. Classic Raiders. https://t.co/vpw4Jl6UN5
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) March 17, 2020
Well if anyone knows the blueprint on how to be a top pick, have that team move on from you, land in a new spot and turn your career around ... it’s Mariota. He saw it first hand this past season with Tannehill. https://t.co/hmkByY49eb
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) March 17, 2020
Yep, definitely see some Gannon in Mariota.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) March 17, 2020
Marcus Mariota is the perfect type of backup for the Raiders. Only 26. Tons of experience.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) March 17, 2020
Hopefully, a change of scenery is what he needs to revitalize his career. I'm certainly rooting for him.
Most of the reactions to Mariota joining the Raiders are positive. Mariota is still a young quarterback who is accurate and makes good decisions when he’s in his element. Facing adversity and leaving the Titans may end up being the best thing that could happen to Mariota, and the parallels to the man who replaced him in Tennessee are quite eery.
Praised as a leader and an all-around athlete, Mariota has a real chance at unseating Carr with a strong offseason, especially if Gruden and Mayock are indeed high on the former Oregon star.
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The Raiders haven’t given up on Carr, and he’s good enough to still challenge for the starting job. But the Raiders couldn’t be complacent at the position either. Instead of investing a high pick or huge money in a quarterback, they have signed an experienced, talented quarterback with bounce-back upside. Chalk this up as a win.