The Oakland Raiders got themselves a starting linebacker when signing former Denver Bronco Brandon Marshall during free agency. The linebacker signed a one-year deal with the team but hopes to make it a second contract, when they move to his hometown, Las Vegas. The Athletic‘s Lindsay Jones talked to Marshall about if getting a second contract to play in Vegas is something that's on his mind.

“That’s in my mind a lot. I’m fighting to get there,” he said. “But I’m taking it one day at a time, because I don’t want to think about it every day, because then I missed the point. I’ve got to work on something each day to get better, and that will ultimately get me there. So it’s in the back of my mind, no doubt, but I’ve got to focus on the little things first.”

The 29-year-old Marshall figures to start alongside veteran Vontaze Burfict in the Raiders' revamped defense. Marshall signed on after the Broncos declined an option on his contract following a 2018 season in which he battled injuries and finished with one of his worst statistical seasons. However, before then, he was a force for the Broncos' defense as a patrolling middle linebacker. In 2017, Marshall led the team in tackles with 106, adding three sacks and four pass deflections for good measure.

In 2016, Marshall missed five games due to injury, but had proven himself as a leader for the Broncos' stout defense in previous season. In 2015, he started for the Broncos' Super Bowl-winning team, as he tallied 101 total tackles, an interception, four pass deflections, and a team-leading two forced fumbles.

The hope, from both he and the Raiders, is that Marshall can regain his prior play and remain with the team when it moves to Sin City.