The Raiders are going to need a quarterback. A backup quarterback.
Oakland’s release of A.J. McCarron Thursday means the only veteran behind starter Derek Carr is former Buffalo Bill Nathan Peterman, who has abysmal numbers in his short NFL career.
Oakland decided to release McCarron, 28, to save nearly $5 million in salary-cap space.
According to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN, McCarron was due to receive a $3 million roster bonus Friday, and his $1.9 million salary would have been guaranteed if he were still on the roster Sunday.
McCarron, acquired last season by the Raiders, played in just two games and was 1-of-3 passing for 8 yards.
That leaves only Peterman on the roster behind Carr. Peterman, due to make $645,000 this season, has played in four games for the Bills in 2017 and 2018 and has thrown seven interceptions vs. one touchdown pass and has a quarterback rating of 32.5. The Bills released him last November after he threw three interceptions in a 41-9 loss to the Bears.
The Raiders could sign a veteran free agent to move into the No. 2 slot behind Carr, or pick up a young quarterback in the upcoming draft.
Sports
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden and GM Mike Mayock have called Carr their “franchise quarterback” in recent weeks, but rumors continue to circulate that the team may try to draft Kyler Murray or select another top QB in the draft such as Drew Lock of Missouri or Dwayne Haskins of Ohio State.
For now however, Carr is No.1 – and the No. 2 job is up for grabs.
