How regression in Mariota's trade market affects Washington originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Two weeks ago, there was apparently some true intrigue around the NFL about trying to trade for Marcus Mariota. Pay attention to the use of "was," though.
According to a new Wednesday report from NFL Network, the interest in the Raiders backup has regressed from where it was just recently.
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"That trade market has now dried up significantly," Ian Rapoport said.
Per Rapoport, Mariota's contract is what's behind the decline. As others have stated, the agreement is like that new movie that just came out featuring Denzel Washington, Rami Malek and Jared Leto: While it looks promising on the surface, it's not as enticing the more you become familiar with it.
"The issue is, based on incentives, if he is the starter and ends up playing the entire season, he could end up making an additional $12 million," Rapoport said.
So, how does this affect the Washington Football Team, which is one franchise that could potentially use Mariota?
Rapoport noted Wednesday that the 27-year-old could be heading toward a release as opposed to a trade, something that could be both beneficial and harmful to the Burgundy and Gold.
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What's encouraging about a release for Ron Rivera and Co., if they like Mariota's fit, is that they wouldn't have to give up a draft pick or any other compensation in a deal to acquire him. Plus, they would get the opportunity to start fresh on the contract front.
And, hey, maybe this lull is the ideal time for them to strike?
However, the obvious downside is that, should Mariota hit the open market, he'd become attractive to the rest of the sport for those same reasons.
Rapoport concluded that Vegas dropping Mariota instead of swapping him would work out well for him personally, seeing as he could pick his next destination and also ink something that would ensure he'd get more guaranteed money.
Washington would likely prefer it, too, for the reasons listed above as well as because the more passers that are available, the more they'll have to choose from. For a squad that some label as stuck in "no man's land," the more resources, the better.
