REPORT: Raiders nearing deal with free-agent QB Marcus Mariota

The Las Vegas Raiders have found their backup quarterback. According to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, the team is close to signing a deal with former No. 2 overall pick Marcus Mariota, who was benched in favor of Ryan Tannehill last season.

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

Raiders Wire writer Levi Damien named Mariota a possible fit earlier this month and that appears to be happening as the Raiders were searching for a high-end backup for Derek Carr. Mariota has started 61 games in his NFL career but is still just 26-years old.

It will be fascinating to see how Mariota fits in Jon Gruden’s West Coast offense, but his ability to use his legs has to be intriguing to the Raiders’ head coach. Mariota isn’t being signed to compete with Carr, but Mariota does offer some insurance if anything were to happen to the Raiders’ franchise passer.

We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.