Matt McGloin has gone from starting quarterback to third-string option a lot faster than he had predicted. The Oakland Raiders acquired the quarterback last year as an unsigned free agent, was kept over drafted Tyler Wilson and quickly inserted into the starting quarterback spot after Matt Flynn and Terrelle Pryor struggled. However, now he is the third man on a roster that includes a veteran and a hot-shot rookie. He is trying to remain positive.
The Oakland Raiders have already announced that Matt Schaub would be the team's starting quarterback next season. They traded for the veteran from the Houston Texans in hopes that over the next two years he can provide a little offensive stability. The Raiders also went out and drafted Derek Carr in the second round to take over the franchise, but only when ready. During team OTAs, Carr worked primarily as Schaub's backup, leaving McGloin to shuffle his feet in third string. The quarterback notes that he is not focused on the depth chart, only thinking of improving.
"I'm definitely a lot further along than I was last year," McGloin said, via the Citizen's Voice. "Things have gotten a lot easier in terms of the playbook and stuff like that. So I feel real good where I'm at. All I can do is stay positive, control what I can control and make the most of my reps and my opportunities when I get in there. Everything else is out of my hands. I'm just at the point where you've got to protect your job."
McGloin was certainly no slouch as a starter. He lead the way for six games, throwing for 1,547 yards and eight touchdowns. For an undrafted rookie, many would chalk that up as success. The quarterback appeared to do enough to earn the right to enter the upcoming season as the starting quarterback, but head coach Dennis Allen and general manager Reggie McKenzie saw it otherwise.
McGloin has faced trade rumors for most of the offseason. After Pryor was sent away, it seemed like only a matter of time before McGloin followed. The quarterback is not likely to see the field this year and could be demoted down to practice squad should he remain on the roster. There has not been a lot of interest in trades for backup quarterbacks, so unless he is released, McGloin will stay with Oakland buried in the depth chart.
