Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
After the reports of runningback Darren McFadden re-signing with the Oakland Raiders came out, many fans assumed that it was because the veteran back received no offers from other NFL teams. The 26 year old McFadden signed a one year deal with the Raiders for $1.75 million, $2.25 million in incentives, and only $100,000 in guaranteed money. If youre an optimist then it means that McFadden knows he he should stay in Oakland and try to prove himself, if not then you’re in the group that thinks McFadden only received an offer from the Raiders.
McFadden’s agent Ian Greengross spoke to the Contra Costa Times and said:
"“We did have real interest from four or five other teams — one offered more money,” said Ian Greengross, McFadden’s agent. “Darren wanted to stay a Raider. He felt like he still had something to prove in silver and black.”"
It is entirely possible that McFadden did indeed receive offers from other teams but it is also very possible that these offers were not very good. He has been getting paid so far mostly on potential rather than what he actually produces on the field. At a total of $4 million for one year if he hits his incentives, which he likely will not given his recent history, were there no other backs the Raiders could have signed? Those in favor of the move constantly point out what McFadden could do, rather than what he has done as a reason for the contract.
Greengross is right about one thing, his client certainly has much to prove in silver and black. If McFadden does finally have a big season and exceed expectations, then good for him and great for the Raiders, but there is no evidence to support that line of thinking. At this point, the only tangible bright side of this deal is that Raider Nation can still wear those expensive Darren McFadden jerseys for one more year.