Marcus Mariota appears to be nearing the end of his time in Las Vegas. The Raiders have asked Mariota to take a pay-cut down to only $3MM this year, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link).
If he refuses, the team will “move on,” Rapoport writes. Mariota is currently due $10.725MM, which is obviously quite steep for a backup to Derek Carr. Rapsheet says that a release is “likely,” but as he points out the team was just able to trade offensive linemen Rodney Hudson and Gabe Jackson yesterday after reports had already leaked that they’d be cut. We heard in February that Mariota was generating trade interest, but a couple weeks after that the interest had cooled significantly.
Meanwhile, Mariota “believes he has options” on the market, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network tweets. Garafolo adds that he expects Mariota to “hold firm” on not taking the pay-cut as a result. With Chicago signing Andy Dalton and Washington adding Ryan Fitzpatrick the list of teams looking for veteran bridge quarterbacks is dwindling, but there are still a few realistic destinations out there.
Jon Gruden added Mariota as insurance last offseason, but after Derek Carr had a career year he’s no longer as necessary. Mariota appeared in one game in place of an injured Carr and showed fairly well against the Chargers on national TV, completing 17 of 28 passes for 226 yards a touchdown and an interception. He also added 88 yards and another score rushing.
The former second overall pick spent his first five years with the Titans, starting 61 games for them before getting pulled for Ryan Tannehill midway through the 2019 campaign. Still only 27, it’ll be interesting to see where the former Heisman winner lands next.
Well, welcome to New England.
100% cam is gonna be riding the pine
In whatever way, bet the house on Cam rising the pine
Yes, please!!!!!
I came here to type the same thing.
Bill Belichic has purchased the plane ticket, and has a realtor on call.
The Patriots make too much sense here. Sign him to a 1-year deal, go with the better of the two QBs during the season between he and Cam, and draft a QB in the first to sit behind them for a year. Release Stidham or trade him if he has any value, whatsoever.
Dallas? Let Dak rehab and get up to 100% while having a viable backup just in case?
agree
Agree 100%. He is perfect for them.
Denver,New England, SF .. he def has options
Uh, who gave Mariota that much money in the first place? Ah, the same guys who now realize what everybody else knew, he’s not worth that much.
If it wasn’t for the pandemic his salary wouldn’t be a problem.
True. But I think its a bit more than that. Ratings have been way down for multiple years, and then the pandemic hit. I think this is why they have just negotiated a new TV deal and front loaded some of the revenues to dig themselves out of this hole.
Don’t rule out the Bears if they let go of Foles. He would make sense there as camp competition or backup to Dalton.
Why spend $10 million on a backup when you can spend $20 million on two backups like the Bears?
Its actually $30 million the Bears blew on both
what math are you using? Foles is making 4 mil in 2021
Would love to see him in a patriots uniform
Bill Belichick has him on speed dial.