Raiders news: Las Vegas working to close deal with Marcus Mariota

The Las Vegas Raiders haven't made many moves as NFL free agency gets underway, but they may be closing in on siging Marcus Mariota.

The Las Vegas Raiders are “close” to a deal with free-agent quarterback Marcus Mariota, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

The #Raiders are pushing to close out a deal with QB Marcus Mariota, sources tell me and @RapSheet. Mike Mayock's No. 1-ranked QB in his @nflnetwork coverage leading up to the 2015 Draft could soon be on his roster.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 17, 2020

Mariota, 26, is a former Heisman Trophy-winning signal-caller with the Oregon Ducks, who was the second overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans. Mariota saw his star dim this past season while former Miami Dolphins gunslinger Ryan Tannehill stepped up for the AFC South franchise in 2019, leading to a second-half resurgence and back-to-back postseason upset wins over the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens, only to lose to eventual Super Bowl LIV champion Kansas City Chiefs.

The acquisition of Mariota for the newly relocated Las Vegas franchise could add competition at the quarterback position with formerly recognized franchise signal-caller Derek Carr, as the Raiders somewhat-openly lurked after a replacement under center since the end of the 2019 campaign. Mariota only threw for 1,203 passing yards with a 59.4 completion percentage, connecting on seven touchdowns and two interceptions in seven games with the Titans last season, going 2-4 in six starts as well.

The Raiders have been interested in several quarterbacks, including future Hall of Famer Tom Brady, who is a free agent for the first time in his 20-year career. Carr signed a five-year, $125 million contract extension with the former Oakland franchise in June 2017.

Carr went 7-9 last season, throwing 4,054 passing yards with a 70.4 completion percentage, throwing 21 touchdowns and eight picks.

Mariota joins another polarizing former top draft pick in Jameis Winston, the one pick ahead of him in the 2015 class, as a quarterback many teams are wary of after both previous Heisman Trophy winners started this respective NFL careers off strongly.