Oakland Raiders, Texans close to Matt Schaub trade
The Oakland Raiders have found their presumptive starting quarterback. And the Houston Texans have been rewarded for their patience in handling Matt Schaub's situation.
NFL Media's Albert Breer reports that the Raiders are close to a trade for Matt Schaub, per a team source. ESPN first reported the story, saying the signal-caller would fetch a late-round pick. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport adds that Schaub is flying to Oakland for a physical Friday morning, and then the deal is expected to be finalized.
Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie said this week he had a ' really good idea' who his quarterback would be next season, and now we know he meant Schaub.
We will have to see if the Raiders re-work Schaub's contract because he's due a $10 million base salary in 2014. He projects as the team's starter alongside a rookie to be named later.
McKenzie traded for Schaub because he badly wanted him. Both Rapoport and NFL Media columnist Michael Silver have reported that Oakland was targeting Schaub for weeks. The Cleveland Browns and New York Jets also had interest, according to Rapoport. The Raiders made sure that Schaub didn't have a choice of where he would go.
Oakland still could draft a quarterback with the No. 5 overall selection, but there won't be as big a rush to play the rookie with Schaub on board. Schaub's arrival should have no impact on Oakland's decision with the pick, but this move is a little different than Houston signing Ryan Fitzpatrick or Jacksonville bringing back Chad Henne. Those guys are getting paid like high-level backups. Schaub, assuming he doesn't adjust his salary too much, is getting paid like a clear starter.
It's hard to imagine Schaub excelling in Oakland considering the team's offensive line and mediocre skill-position talent. But we don't think he's as cooked as most NFL analysts believe. His arm was never strong, and it looked worse than ever last year. But his string of pick sixes had a lot to do with bad luck, and he was more competent than given credit for in a lot of games.
Schaub is no longer a Pro Bowl pick, but he's a veteran with a chance to be, say, the 20th best starting quarterback in the league. For the Raiders, that would qualify as a big improvement. McKenzie is selling out this offseason in a quest to win seven games.
The latest 'Around The League Podcast' breaks down DeSean Jackson trade rumors and tries to figure out who will be next year's Michael Bennett (or Brent Grimes).
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