What does the Nathan Peterman signing mean for the Las Vegas Raiders?
Should the Raiders sign someone to replace Mariota?
Mariota was signed to an incentive-laden contract that was worth up to $17.6 million over the course of two years per Spotrac. However, the Raiders can part ways with Mariota and save a nice chunk of change to be used elsewhere, perhaps, on defensive players.
The question then becomes, is Gruden really going to roll into 2021 with Peterman as the sole backup? Given his history, that’s doubtful at best. The best-case scenario should be that the team keeps Mariota given how well he played when he was finally allowed to.
Yes, an expensive commodity due to the salary cap’s circumstances, but it could be worth it. If Carr somehow flounders or gets hurt in 2021, Mariota has shown he can step in and fill the void, albeit based on a small sample.
Another option for Las Vegas would be to bring another signal-caller to replace Mariota if he’s gone this offseason. There will be many notable and experienced free agents such as Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jacoby Brissett, and Andy Dalton.
But replacing Maritoa with any of them wouldn’t make sense. He’ll now have two offseasons under Gruden, learning his offense, and getting more familiar with the Raiders’ weapons on offense.
Unless there’s a trade on the horizon or the Silver and Black plan on drafting a quarterback, the depth chart in 2021 for the Raiders should read 1. Carr 2. Mariota 3. Peterman.
Don’t complicate this coach Gruden.