Raiders’ GM Mike Mayock: “We Feel Really Good About the QB Position”

Raiders' QB Derek Carr in 2017
Derek Carr with the Raiders in 2017. Photo by Manny Flores/CSM/REX/Shutterstock (9027834ag)

There will be a number of NFL teams looking to draft a quarterback in this year’s draft, but don’t expect Las Vegas Raiders to be one of them. According to the team’s general manager Mike Mayock, Raiders “feel really good” about the players that they have on the position.

There has been a lot of talk about the Raiders’ QB position ever since Jon Gruden took over the team in 2018. The starter Derek Carr has had its ups and downs, and the team reportedly entertained the idea of trading him. According to rumors, they were also one of the teams interested in Tom Brady before he signed with Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Still, the Raiders ended up settling on just bringing a veteran competition for Carr in former Tennessee Titans’ signal-caller Marcus Mariota, and believe they now have a strong QB core.

“We’re very appreciative to have Derek Carr,” said Mayock during a conference call with reporters on Tuesday. “Jon [Gruden’s] offense, he’s going into year three of it. Marcus Mariota, Jon and I both know him very, very well. We feel really good about the quarterback position.”

Mariota, who was Titans’ second overall pick in 2015, signed with Raiders this offseason hoping to bounce back after a season in which he was benched for Ryan Tannehill. Mayock believes that he’ll get the chance to redeem himself with Raiders.

“He wants to become the best version of Marcus Mariota that he can become, and that’s the way we look at it. Let’s see who the best Marcus Mariota is, and in the meantime, we love what we have with Derek Carr,” he added.

Raiders ended the 2019 season 7-9 and missed the playoffs for the fifth time during Derek Carr’s reign at QB. However, what allowed Carr to keep his starting position is increased production, as he delivered one of his most statistically impressive seasons as a pro. He finished the year with 70.4 percent pass completion while throwing for 4,054 yards, 21 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.

Gunner's favorite movies are Pulp Fiction, Iron Man (just the first one), and every James Bond film ever made. He's learning TV and cinema and hoping to always enjoy movies as he does now.