Leading up to this week, it was a foregone conclusion that the Raiders would part ways with Marcus Mariota’s contract after the 2020 season. Mariota made (or will make) $9.125 million this year and through 13 weeks, it was money the Raiders probably wished they had spent elsewhere.
Next year Mariota’s cap number will be just above $10.7 million, but after his solid performance against the Chargers, the Raiders have to feel like his contract is something they have to consider going forward.
Essentially these are the Raiders four options with Mariota going forward…
Keep Mariota around as Derek Carr’s backup
It wouldn’t be the most salary cap friendly option, but Jon Gruden obviously values a solid backup quarterback. On Thursday night, the presence of a starter-quality backup almost kept the Raiders’ season afloat when Carr left the game with a groin injury.
If Gruden welcomed Mariota for $9.1 million in year one, maybe he’d view another $1.6 million in 2021 as just a drop in the bucket. Of course, $10 million might also buy the team another defensive player or two. That might be nice, too.
Trade Mariota for a defensive player or draft capital
There are two games remaining on the Raiders schedule and Mariota may have both games to audition for a starting job in 2021. Based on what he showed on Thursday night, there are plenty of teams that would improve by making Mariota their starting quarterback.
If Sam Bradford was worth a first-round pick via trade, it’s not inconceivable that a team would be willing to give a third or fourth-round pick for Mariota. A few teams that come to mind are New England, Washington, San Francisco, New York (Jets), or even Cincinnati as they move into the 2021 season with some uncertainty around the status of Joe Burrow’s knee.
Imagine getting a mid-round draft pick and clearing a $10 million salary in the process.
Keep Mariota, trade Carr
The backup quarterback is very often the most popular player on the roster among the fans… but what about the mind of Gruden?
Teams come calling for Carr every offseason and the Raiders haven’t come close to trading him yet. 2020 was Carr’s best season as a pro, so whatever the Raiders were offered a year ago, the offers should only go up. Contrary to popular narrative, Gruden has pretty much tied himself to Carr, so it will take a lot to convince him to hit the reset button at quarterback.
For what it’s worth, it sounds like the coaching staff was as shocked as anyone by what Mariota did off the bench on Thursday night. Mariota wasn’t known to stand out as a great practice player in Tennessee and it sounds like a similar situation is playing out in Las Vegas this year.
Cut Mariota
It’s crazy how quickly things change in the NFL. All of a sudden it feels like Mariota is too good to just dump into the free agent pool after the season.
But again, let’s see where we’re at a week from now.
Understanding that the Raiders still have two regular season games to play (that’s an eternity in NFL storylines), it seems like it would make the most sense for the team to field offers for Mariota after the season and if they don’t get what they want, just keep him around as a backup… or cut him to add defensive help.
Ideally, Gruden won’t allow a QB media circus to ensue the way he did a year ago, but who knows, maybe he enjoys that kind of thing more than he lets on.
twitter: @raidersbeat
We really need to move on forward with Carr no matter how Mariota plays in the last two remaining games.
Carr is not going to ever get us far in the playoffs if we ever get there.
Huh? Go or stay?
Do you actually watch a RAIDER game??? If not you should not comment. If you do you are an IDIOT!!! How can you blame Carr for a defense that can not stop nobody in the last couple minutes of a game?? How can you blame Carr for putting the ball on receivers, tightends and running backs hands and they either drop them or tip them up for an interception?? Not sure what games you are watching but certainly not the LAS VEGAS RAIDERS games!!! Defense wins championships!!! You want to go with a running quarter back???? How many of them since Steve young ( who was not a running quarter back) have won a super bowl??? PROUD RAIDER FAN FOR LIFE!!!!!
Thanks I agree Carr is out qb we need to get better on defense
see what he does next 2 weeks then decide
Didn’t Carr buy the house right next to Gruden’s in Las Vegas? It will be awkward when the Raiders move on from him. Lol
Stay with Carr add on a complete diiferent style of offensive plays and just let Carr throw the ball long more often. the times he got the chance they were excellent throws plus were 30 to 40+ yards.
Keep Mariota, trade Carr:
Get a high No. 1 pick for Carr, trade that pick and Raiders No, 1 pick and go get Trevor Lawrence – he would be Mariota’s backup until maybe next year. Carr is a waste of time aka Mr. Dink and dunk, can’t scrambe, zero speed etc etc
That is just stupid and nonsense. The Raiders have no resources to move up to Get Lawrence. They could off MM8 and Card never happening. I am huge MM8 fan but let’s be real and not live in a fantasy.
“It’s better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt”
― Mark Twain
the dink and dunk is grudens doing. it has absolutely nothing to do with carr. if you think another qb will come and change how gruden calls plays you’re high.
He’s the most long ball accurately , he’s almost as fast as Mariota he’s only missed 3 games in 7 years idiot and in one less year than Mariota he has 91 more tds..
This article should be about carr trade options. Carr fanboys i swear smh.
Trade gruden he is overpaid!!
I second that! Gruden is overrated and mostly OVERPAID!
Ive been hoping to see Mariota get a chance all year. Carr does not have the touch. He is pretty good but he doesn’t have the feel to be a super bowl qb. He is unaware of his surroundings and is not able to scramble and then complete passes. If he has to scramble it usually result in throwing it away.
KEEP MARIOTA AND TRADE CARR for a corner back and a pick.
I think going forward Marcus Mariota to me is the one the raiders need to keep. He is slightly younger and has the grasp of the system already. He connected well with his receivers and the offense was energized by the way he is unafraid to run. Carr still takes to long to make that decision. Marcus extended play after play. Sure he didn’t get the win on the scoreboard but I am sure he won everywhere else. A lot of teams will be interested in the both of them so we need to have a plan going into the off season and hopefully make the right decision. I don’t deny that Carr is having a good season statically but it has not shown up where it matters the most and that is in the win collum. Tired of winning games in the early part of the season only to have another epic failure in the end. A great idea his to let Carr begin the season and at the half way point start Mariota. Sounds wacky but seems like he doesn’t win in November or December when it matters the most. Just an idea. They are both under contract for next year so use them. The Defense is the side of the ball that needs more attention
I’m hoping they FINALLY give up on the Carr experiment and move on with another QB, hopefully MM looks good in the final two games and makes the decision easier. I just don’t have ANY confidence in Gruden’s ability to fill the DC position with the right person. After all, he’s the one who bought in on Guenther. Picking him from the Bengals staff. The REAL problem is Gruden’s inability to select good coaches, plus he hangs on to his bad coaches for too long. Also, I’m not too sold on Mayock’s ability to stock the defense with talent. His first draft looked great, but then he laid an egg on his latest draft. Mayock, like Guenther, was handpicked by Gruden.
Derek Carr, aka Daryl Lamonica, will never get us a SB win. He’ll always have great stats, but just won’t deliver the wins when it counts. Let’s move on. Even if MM isn’t the answer.
Agreed.
How many Games did Derek Carr loses? Last year Derek Carr loses! Two years ago Derek Carr loses! 3 years ago Derek Carr loses! Going Back with other teams Derek Carr loses!!! Same old Story if you keep Derek Carr! No SUPERBOWL!!! Get Another QUARTERBACK!
How many Games did Derek Carr loses? Last year Derek Carr loses! Two years ago Derek Carr loses! 3 years ago Derek Carr loses! Going Back with other teams Derek Carr loses!!! Same old Story if you keep Derek Carr! No SUPERBOWL!!! Get Another QUARTERBACK!
Cut Carr’s pay. Keep Mariota and use them as a tandem like the Saints do with their QB’s. Carr is a way better passer than Mariota will ever be. Mariota is way better in the RPO. Add an unstoppable wrinkle to the offense.
Stay with Carr add on a complete diiferent style of offensive plays and just let Carr throw the ball long more often. the times he got the chance they were excellent throws plus were 30 to 40+ yards.
Play Mariota the next games and see how it goes. How can let a quality player with a future go without ever playing in him? Trade Carr while he is still worth some decent defensive players.
It has been reported that Derek Carr has been upgraded and had a full practice on wednesday and wants to play against the Dolphins. I say no!!! Let Marcus Mariotta play. We’ve seen Derek Carr all year long and know exactly what he brings to the table. Lets see what else Mariotta has to offer. As far as I’m concerned, Carr’s season is over and NOTHING he does from here on out is of any consequence.
If the Raiders could manage to trade Carr. It should be for Carson Wentz. This kid still has a lot of talent.
The problem with the Raiders is the Defense!! Garbage!! Secondary is the worst in NFL’ if the Defense would of did their job! Raiders would be first in its division! Playoff contenders To Super Bowl Champions!! Gruden’ is the best HG in the NFL with two Solid QB’s along a with a great Offensive line up!! With Super Star players in its mix!! 2021 will be the Year of the Raiders!! If the Raiders can get some Super Stars in the Defense!!
I think we should keep MM as our back up, you how it seems that care get hurt a lot and trade Littleton, Henry Rugg III for a two average defensive players. Or get juju, and a better safety