According to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, the Oakland Raiders are interested in trading away backup quarterback Matt Schaub.
In what would ultimately be one of the most boring trades of the NFL Trade Deadline, the Raiders dealing Schaub is probably the smartest move the team could make. Oakland seems committed to rookie quarterback Derek Carr for the remainder of the season, and the Raiders are comfortable using Matt McGloin as Carr’s backup if needed. Schaub is currently serving as a relatively well-paid backup to a player he will no longer supplant.
The obvious issue with any potential sale of Matt Schaub is the buyer. At this point in the season, the only teams that would likely trade for a veteran backup quarterback are those who lack depth at the position and need injury insurance. Teams will no longer be adding Schaub to actively compete for the starting gig. For instance, the New York Jets would have been a solid option for Schaub before they signed Michael Vick in the offseason. Now, with too much depth but not enough talent, they could not possibly bring in another quarterback to stop the bleeding, as the irreparable damage for the season has already been done.
One possible landing spot for Schaub is in the state in which he played the majority of his career already — Texas. The former Houston Texans quarterback might be a little more desired in Dallas after Tony Romo was forced out of Monday night’s game against the Redskins with an apparent back injury. Romo later returned to the game, but the fragility of his position was in full display on national television.
Oakland will be faced with a buyer’s market for Matt Schaub, as the competition for his services is non-existent. The Raiders should be willing to make virtually any deal that moves the quarterback, passing the leverage onto the lone team that takes a flyer on Schaub.
The event of Romo’s injury unfolding hours before the trade deadline passes might just be enough to put Jerry Jones over the edge and grab some cheap insurance.
