The Oakland Raiders were mentioned in trade rumors at the deadline with Matt Schaub and Justin Tuck potential targets and while the team did not make a deal, the emergence of Derek Carr in the offense with Darren McFadden healthy could spark the team to make moves in the offseason, as Schaub could be a target for a number of teams in need of a starter, including the Jets or St. Louis Rams.
According to ESPN.com, both Tuck and Schaub were mentioned as potential trade options at the Tuesday deadline, but the team did not end up making a deal. The Raiders have obviously been very disappointing this season, as they do not yet have a win and both Schaub and Tuck have not been great either. The two were hailed as strong offseason moves after the Raiders signed Tuck and traded for Schaub, but so far neither player has worked out as planned.
Tuck was signed to a two-year, $11 million contract and so far he has not helped turn the defensive line into a consistent threat, while Schaub has been a non-factor. Many thought he would be the starting quarterback and he is in on a two year deal and he has not started, while rookie Derek Carr has been firmly planted as the number one QB on the depth chart. Schaub has only attempted one pass and that was on a trick play that was thrown for an interception.
Having Schaub as the backup is solid insurance for Carr, but the team also has Matt McGloin and they like what he brings to the table as well. Last season Schaub had a terrible season for the Texans, passing for 10 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 10 games and that led to his trade to the Raiders. Oakland has been a mess and after the season they may look at trying to acquire some draft picks and both Tuck and Schaub could be potential players that move. Carr has played better than many expected and he comes in after passing for 328 yards last week and a touchdown in the loss against the Cleveland Browns. This season he has nine TDs and five picks and has passed for over 1500 yards in seven games.
Carr had his best game against the Chargers with 282 yards and four touchdowns and in the past three weeks he has five Tds and just one interception. McFadden has remained healthy for the start of the season for the first time in his career and he is trying to play in more than 13 games for the first time in his career. McFadden has been way better than Maurice Jones-Drew, as he has 338 yards this season and two touchdowns to go along with 21 catches for 114 yards.
McFadden is in on a one year deal and he could be playing himself into a solid contract next season as long as he stays healthy. The Raiders have been dying for McFadden to stay healthy and they envisioned him doing what he did back in 2010. McFadden played in 13 games that season and had 1157 yards in his only 1K season and he also added 47 catches for 507 yards, scoring 10 total touchdowns.
