There’s a quarterback controversy for the Raiders for the first time since Derek Carr was named the starter in 2014. It comes in the form of Marcus Mariota who last week was signed to a deal that ranges from a one-year backup contract to a two-year starter level contract.
Mariota flamed out in Tennessee after his fifth offensive coordinator in five seasons. His team brought in Ryan Tannehill in a trade with the Dolphins and Tannehill lifted the Titans to the playoffs. Some thing Mariota could do the same to Derek Carr that Tannehill did to him. Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports is among those believers.
“Marcus Mariota is going to go to Vegas, take over the job from Derek Carr,” said Wilson. “I talk about that every day, but the bold prediction is that… Marcus Mariota is going to take over the job and lead the Raiders to the playoffs.”
"Marcus Mariota is going to take over the job and lead the Raiders to the playoffs!" @ryanwilsonCBS lays out his BOLD prediction for the NFL season. pic.twitter.com/PWeZyAypmy
— Pick Six Podcast (@picksixpod) March 25, 2020
That is a bold prediction, but not an unrealistic one. Mariota led the Titans to the playoffs in 2017 and even won a playoff game over the Chiefs that year before losing to the Patriots in the Divisional round. Mariota threw four touchdowns to one interception in those two playoff games.
Three of Mariota’s four seasons as the full time starter he had a winning record.
Once in Carr’s six-year career did he have a winning record and that season he broke his fibula so he has never appeared in a playoff game.
Yes, yes, wins aren’t a quarterback stat and I am not saying the Raiders losses during Carr career were all on his shoulders just as I am not saying the Titans wins during Mariota’s time were all because of him. It’s just to say Mariota CAN lead a team to winning seasons and the playoffs, so it isn’t a crazy thought.
[vertical-gallery id=62676]
[lawrence-newsletter]