Good day to you all. Lots of speculation about where the Raiders are with the salary cap. I've read we are anywhere from 8 million to 20 million over the cap. With that said, teams must be under the salary cap by the first day of the new league year, which is March 17, the official first day of free agency.
With the Raiders having recently re-signed David Irving and given Nate Peterman & Kendal Vickers contract extensions, this would support that the Raiders are already under the salary cap.
The only notable release so far has been Tyrell Williams. With his release, this cleared up 11.6 million in cap space. This would support the notion that the Raiders were probably over the 8 million that was reported, rather than the 20 million as some speculated.
With the Nate Peterman re-signing and the signing of QB Kyle Sloter, this tells me Mariota is again on the move, with Chucky having three QB's under contract, not including Mariota. I keep hearing Philly, Washington, Chicago, and NE as the most likley landing spots.
The Raiders are going to want the cap space when Mariota is traded, and teams are going to want their guy by the start of free agency. Offensive free agents are going to want to know what the plan is at QB before signing with a new team. There seems to be motivation on both sides to make a move.
Washington has already attempted to trade for Mariota. It didn't give the reason why it hasn't happened yet. Speculation says it's Mariota's contract, which again can be extended or restructured. To me this isn't the issue. My guess is MM and Chucky want more compensation than what was originally offered, and are waiting to see what other clubs bring to the table. https://www.oregonlive.com/nfl/2021/...ta-report.html
Obviously you go for Watson or Wilson if he is made available. Mariota is a great second option and a starter in this league. Until teams know for sure Watson and Wilson are not available, you then make a move for Mariota. This can't be rushed as there are a lot of moving parts around the league.
This I do know, it appears that time is running out and Mariota will have a new team soon, and the Raiders will have cap space, a draft pick or two and or a player or two in return. I don't think a Mariota release is going to happen as some speculated he would be. 27 year old really good QB's are too valuable to just let walk without compenstation in return.
Moving Mariota could be the key to getting our defense fixed once and for all.
Go Raiders!