Quarterback Marcus Mariota is expected to return to the Las Vegas Raiders on a reworked contract that will pay him $3.5 million this season, NFL Network reported Tuesday.
Mariota can earn up to $8 million with incentives.
Either way, it’s a big pay cut for Mariota, who signed a two-year, $17.6 million deal with the Raiders last March to back up Derek Carr. He earned $20.9 million in 2019 with the Tennessee Titans but lost his starting job to Ryan Tannehill and wasn’t re-signed.
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Mariota, 27, was scheduled to earn $10.7 million in 2021, but with the money not guaranteed, the Raiders would have cut him had he not agreed to restructure his deal. The reduced 2021 salary cap made that price too high for a backup, and Mariota found himself with limited options as many teams with needs at quarterback have filled their open spots.
The Titans made him the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2015. In 61 career starts, he has a 29-32 record and has thrown for 13,433 yards with 77 touchdowns and 45 interceptions. He also has run for 1,487 yards and added 12 scores.
–Field Level Media