Las Vegas Raiders can take advantage of active QB market

The Las Vegas Raiders could involve themselves in the quarterback frenzy this offseason. You probably think this is another zany Derek Carr trade scenario, not at all. Keep your eye on Marcus Mariota though.

Head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock have four signal-callers on the roster: Carr, Mariota, Nathan Peterman, and Kyle Sloter, who signed a reserve/future contract.

Ever since Gruden said, “This Nate Peterman guy is growing on me” in July of 2019, the Raiders have kept him around. Don’t expect to see Sloter on the roster in 2021.

Mariota’s situation has multiple layers. For starters, he filled in admirably for Carr in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers, throwing for 226 yards, a touchdown, an interception and rushing for 88 yards and a score. He didn’t have pinpoint accuracy on all his pass attempts but looked somewhat rejuvenated on his feet.

Last offseason, Mariota underwent ankle surgery, and he also had a shoulder issue. In September, the Raiders placed him on injured reserve because of a strained pectoral muscle.

After all of that, Mariota didn’t show any ill effects when he played through three-quarters of his only appearance with the team. The Raiders could’ve featured him in certain packages in the final two games but chose not to do so. Still, the 27-year-old may have a market this offseason, which brings us to another layer around his situation.