Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie has been as diplomatic as a presidential candidate when discussing the future of several veterans such as backup quarterback Matt Schaub. McKenzie has said that he won't rule out bringing the expensive Schaub back for another year. However, like most presidential candidates, you have to do a fair amount of reading between the lines.
"Schaub is due to make $5.5. million if the Raiders keep him, a year after trading for him to be their starting quarterback," Vic Tafur of SFChronicle.com wrote. "Schaub lost the job in training camp to rookie Derek Carr and wound up throwing two interceptions in 10 passes as a backup last season."
McKenzie acknowledged that there are a few different routes he can take when it comes to Schaub.
"He doesn't have anything that is forcing our hand right now," he said. "There could be other teams that want him and maybe would trade me a player for him."
Oakland is slated to have around $50 million in salary cap space this offseason. That number could grow if the Raiders choose to cut ties with veterans Tyvon Branch and linebacker LaMarr Woodley. Branch has dealt with a litany of injuries and he'll count $9.7 million against the cap in 2015. He's also due a $1 million roster bonus on March 12. In two seasons, Branch has managed to play just five games. That's not, as financial folks like to say, a great return on your investment.
Running back Maurice Jones-Drew is also a possible cap casualty, though it is more likely that the Raiders will attempt to restructure his deal.
Regardless of what happens, the Raiders are still expected to be active players in free agency. The team has been linked to several high-profile names such as wide receiver Randall Cobb, guard Mike Iupati and possibly defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.
