Raiders 2021 free agency: Backup quarterbacks

With a Marcus Mariota trade possible, it begs this question: who will be the backup quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021?

If Mariota is removed from the roster for this season, there are a few routes the Raiders can go while finding Derek Carr’s backup.

• The Raiders can make Nathan Peterman the No. 2 as he was for a portion of the 2020 season. Peterman recently re-signed for this season.
• The Raiders can draft a young quarterback (we will address this possibility soon).
• The Raiders can add a veteran backup, which has been the M.O. of Las Vegas coach Jon Gruden.

If the Raiders want to add a veteran backup, there are plenty of free agent options.

Potential free agent additions include Jacoby Brissett, Mitchell Trubisky, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tyrod Taylor, Andy Dalton, Jameis Winston, Brett Hundley, Blaine Gabbert, A.J. McCarron (he spent the 2018 season with the Raiders), Cam Newton and Nate Sudfeld.

Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Many of these players have been available in the past, but if the Raiders do decide to add a veteran free agent in the event Mariota is not back, among the top candidates on this list may be Brissett, Dalton, Fitzpatrick and even Trubisky.

Gruden loves working with quarterbacks and getting his hands on a former top pick like Trubisky may be desirable to the coach. That’s exactly what the case was with Mariota last year. Perhaps the Raiders can fix Trubisky and flip him in a \year,

Thus, if Mariota is, indeed, moved, there will instantly be more intrigue at the position in Las Vegas.