The Oakland Raiders announced on Thursday that they have signed former Denver Bronco middle linebacker Brandon Marshall to a one-year contract. The deal is reported to be for $4.1 million.
Considering the Raiders’ defensive ranked dead last in points allowed a year ago, adding to that side of the ball has been a big point of emphasis for head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock this offseason.
In addition to Marshall, they have also signed linebacker Vontaze Burfict, safety Lamarcus Joyner and defensive backs Curtis Riley and Nevin Lawson. They also have the fourth pick in the upcoming NFL draft, where they are expected to select one of the top pass rushers.
Marshall was a former fifth-round draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2012 out of Nevada. He spent the last six seasons with the Broncos, where he started 63 games.
The 29-year-old appeared in 11 games in 2018, starting seven of them. He recorded 42 total tackles while defending one pass. He has 6.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and two interceptions in his career.
While it is not a flashy signing, linebacker is a position that the Raiders have really struggled to find stability at the last few seasons, and Marshall can help provide exactly that as well as veteran presence in the locker room.
