The Raiders are set to sign former Jets running back Isaiah Crowell, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). When finalized, it’ll be a one-year deal worth up to $2.5MM.
Crowell visited the Raiders on Thursday and it didn’t take long for a deal to come together. Crowell now has an opportunity to take over as the Raiders’ top running back with Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin both in free agent limbo.
Head coach Jon Gruden has indicated that he would like to retain both Lynch and Martin, but he also said the same of tight end Jared Cook, who has since left to join the Saints. There’s also the draft to consider, so the returns of those two vets are far from guaranteed.
The Jets released Crowell earlier this offseason after his first and only campaign with the club. Crowell did well on a per-carry basis in New York, matching his career high with 4.8 yards per carry. But, the Jets gave the 2018 free agent acquisition a career-low 143 carries. Crowell, 26, finished with 685 yards and the Jets replaced him with Le’Veon Bell.
Crowell has 27 career rushing touchdowns and surpassed 850 ground yards in his final two Browns seasons, doing so despite the team often trailing in a 1-31 stretch. He might not be the sexiest name out there, but he could help to fortify the Raiders’ running game.
Hey a running back finally
A very average running back
Agreed slpdajab….. ranks probably somewhere between 25th and 35th best running back in football. I think the game has passed Gruden by… its been nothing but questionable move one after another … it’s good if they plan to use him as a change of pace or part of a committee but if he is expected to be a bell cow … it won’t work.
Everybody just chill, it’s a 1yr 2.5 mil max contract
Plus in that division they won’t have time to run … they will be chasing points with KC, Chargers
I hope Crowell has the opportunity to break out his butt wipe TD celebration when the Raiders play the Jets this year.