Oakland Raiders: Recapping the 2018 offseason

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ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 29: Marquette King No. 7 of the Oakland Raiders punts the ball during the second quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 29, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Release of Marquette King

One of the bigger surprises around Raider Nation this offseason was the release of Marquette King. One of the better punters in the NFL, King’s release by the team was likely due to his antics on the field, as this coaching staff has shown they will not tolerate it.

The release most certainly was not about talent, as King has been the team’s starting punter for each of the last five seasons. When it came to field position, King was definitely an asset, and it will be interesting to see how the Raiders do without him punting the ball in 2018.

During the 2018 NFL Draft, the Raiders grabbed King’s replacement, as they selected Florida’s Johnny Townsend in the fifth round. Townsend was the best punter in college football last season, and during the OTAs and minicamps, he has shown his leg is just as strong as King’s is.

King will stay in the division this season, as he signed a contract with the Denver Broncos. He has been very disrespectful to the Raiders on his social media feeds since being released by the team, adding even more fuel to the fire of the rivalry between the Raiders and the Broncos.

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