The Las Vegas Raiders are still trying to create cap space, and they're begging Marcus Mariota to help them.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the Raiders have asked Mariota to take a massive pay cut. The former Oregon star is owed over $10 million, but Las Vegas is hoping he agrees to reduce his salary to just $3 million. Otherwise, he will be cut.
Rapoport added the Raiders might still try to trade Mariota, though his cap hit might prevent teams from going that route.
It seems unlikely Mariota will lessen his value to remain in Sin City.
Firstly, a $7 million pay cut is huge. Secondly, the quarterback carousel is very real this offseason. A number of teams have inquired as to the trade availability of signal-callers such as Sam Darnold and Gardner Minshew. Andy Dalton is getting $10 million to pay quarterback for the Chicago Bears.
In other words, Mariota could still have very good value on the open market in the event he is released. It is for that reason Mike Garafolo of NFL Network opined Mariota is likely to hold firm and force Las Vegas to release him:
Mariota believes he has options on the marker if the #Raiders let him go, so I'd expect he'll hold firm here. https://t.co/ifJUKQzSdl
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 18, 2021
Mariota played just one game for the Raiders in 2020, but he showed plenty of promise in that lone appearance.
The 27-year-old took over for an injured Derek Carr in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers. He threw for 226 yards and a score while also rushing for 88 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.
Is Mariota's dual-threat ability enough to manifest a strong market? He seems to think so, which could make his release from Las Vegas imminent.
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