While many mock the excitement that comes with this time of year, the truth is that it’s a season of optimism. Everyone is 0-0 and hope abounds wherever you look. The player you need at the position you need? He’s out there — if only…
At 9 a.m. PT on Monday, the world got a respite from the chaos of coronavirus (seriously, please stay indoors so that we don’t miss football season. No, really) as the free agency tampering period opened and NFL news started flying.
First, the Houston Texans shocked the world by making arguably the worst trade in NFL history — and by day’s end, the Buffalo Bills tried their best to compete. Oh, and a guy who averages less than five catches and 67 yards per game for his career got ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.
But enough about that, let’s talk about how the Las Vegas Raiders fared on Day 1…
Nick Kwiatkowski, three-year / $21 million
It’s a hard name to pronounce, but it’ll be worth the time and effort because some around the league think this guy could be a really solid find for the Raiders. Kwiatkowski spent last season with Chicago, where he filled in admirably when their linebacking corps was ravaged by injury.
While this signing won’t solve a decade’s worth of issues at linebacker, it’s at the very least a sign that the Raiders are committed to solving the problem. Last season, Kwiatkowski logged 76 tackles across 15 games (8 starts), three sacks and a forced fumble.
Verdict: not the splash Raider fans may have hoped to find when they woke up, but it’s a solid start for sure. Kwiatkowski is a legitimate NFL linebacker — which makes exactly one currently on the roster. At the very least we already know the linebacking group will be better in 2020 than it was last season — and considering they still might make a run at Cory Littleton* or one of the top draft prospects, it should only get better.
Marcus Mariota, (terms unknown)
Derek Carr can rest easy. For now.
The former No. 2 overall pick out of Oregon has reportedly signed with the Raiders after weeks of rumors, making him the default backup to Carr when the season begins. For Mariota, it’s a chance at a fresh start after his Tennessee tenure came to an end this past season at the hands of Ryan Tannehill. If Mariota weren’t such a nice guy, he’d probably be hoping that this situation plays out similar to how Tannehill’s did last season — but at the very least, he’ll give Jon Gruden someone to push Carr all year.
Verdict: it’s abundantly clear that the Raiders aren’t convinced that Derek Carr is the quarterback of the future. It doesn’t mean that they’re positive he ISN’T — but they’re just not convinced. Mariota gives them a capable backup, but also a possible reclamation project should Carr’s third year with Gruden not go well.
*Note: The Raiders reportedly signing Littleton to a three-year contract on Tuesday morning.
