Quarterback will again be a position to watch closely this offseason for the Raiders. With the much of the team’s new coaching staff in place, one veteran name has emerged as a free agent option. 
“There could be a little bit of interest in Marcus Mariota between the Raiders and Dolphins,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said during a Pat McAfee Show appearance (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald). “He’s gonna have some choices this offseason.”
Mariota’s relationship with Tua Tagovailoa is a factor which could make him a Dolphins target. Miami is aiming to acquire a high-floor backup, and the 31-year-old would meet that criteria. Mariota has 93 appearances and 74 starts to his name, although his last run of first-team action came with the Falcons in 2022.
In the event he were to return to the Raiders (after playing there from 2020-21) , the Oregon product could be an option to compete for bridge starter duties depending on how the team operates in the draft. A Vegas deal would represent a reunion with Chip Kelly, who coached Mariota in 2012 and is now back in the NFL as the Raiders’ offensive coordinator. The team will of course have other options to consider, though.
With the second-most projected 2025 cap space in the league, the Raiders will have the wherewithal to win a potential bidding war for the top passers in this year’s free agent class. Sam Darnold is therefore a name to watch, as is Russell Wilson since he and head coach Pete Carroll are once again on good terms. Vegas currently holds the No. 6 pick in April’s draft, which may put the team in range for a first-round QB.
Even if a young passer is added on Day 1 of the draft (or later), Mariota could be signed as competition or a veteran capable of handling QB1 duties while a rookie develops. As things stand, Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell are in place for the Raiders; the new regime led by Carroll and general manager John Spytek could very well make one or more changes to that room over the coming months, however.
Woof
Chip Kelly and Mariota. Why not?
Top UFL QBs to watch this April on ESPN/FOX
1. Alex McGough – Birmingham
2. Kellen Mond – San Antonio
3. Max Duggan – St. Louis
4. Bryce Perkins – Michigan
5. Jordan Ta’amu – DC
6. Matt Corral – Birmingham
7. Luis Perez – Arlington
8. Nolan Henderson – Houston
9. Davious Richards – Houston
10.Quinten Dormady – Memphis
Lmao what
List of QBs who will be more relevant than Marcus Marriota in 2025
Brutal
Wouldn’t he be the greatest reclamation project ever. Look at his numbers… they’re surprisingly ok throughout his entire career. I hope the dude gets a shot.
Give the Bears pick #37 and you can have Tyson Bagent.
You can totally make that happen on Madden25.
raiders take last place again!!!!!
Not official until they draft Shedeur
I would be VERY leary of getting into a “Bidding War” for Sam Darnold. One good year after 7 so-so at best years has to make you leary….especially considering the weapons he had with the Vikings. I may try to sign him if I needed a starter…but I’m not going to get into a bidding war.
Marcus back to the Titans. He maybe could tribe in Callahan offense. Still well liked in Nashville
Maybe he could thrive in Callahan offense. Damn spellcheck