Marcus Mariota Could Get Released By Raiders As Trade Market Dries Up

It seems as if the trade market for quarterback Marcus Mariota is fizzling. And now, the Las Vegas Raiders might just release him.

According to Ian Rapoport, the incentives in Mariota's contract have teams backing away from contemplating a deal. This is news because Mariota was recently considered a QB that opposing teams were beginning to covet again.

But the former No. 2 overall draft pick hasn't been considered starter material since his Tennessee Titans days, and even those came to an unceremonious end.

Mariota did have a nice showing with the Raiders as a backup to Derek Carr -- but that's the problem.

Because Mariota reached specific benchmarks in his contract, he became eligible for financial incentives in 2021. That includes an extra $12 million in 2021, should he become a starter. And any team looking to trade for Mariota would do so in hopes that he is indeed the main man behind center.

"Where does that leave Mariota and the Raiders? Rapoport suggests that a release is not out of the question," wrote Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports. "Mariota has no dead money left on his contract and Las Vegas could clear $10.725 million if they let him walk."