{"numbering":"no_numbering","slides":[{"title":"Marcus Mariota should not be a Raider in 2021","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/USATSI_15367941_168393342_lowres.jpg","credit":"Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports","published":1609820379,"caption":"

When Derek Carr injured his groin in Thursday Night Football, Mariota entered the game and breathed some life into the Raiders' offense nearly leading them to victory. The former Heisman winner finished the game with 226 passing yards, one touchdown, one interception along with nine carries for 88 yards and a touchdown.

It was the only significant playing time Mariota saw all season. Even in week 17 with the Raiders eliminated from playoff contention, Las Vegas elected to start Derek Carr rather than see what Mariota can do with a real gameplan for him.

Las Vegas doesn't owe Mariota anything and clearly, Jon Gruden thinks Mariota is a worse quarterback than Derek Carr. With that assessment made, why keep Mariota on the bench all game rather than trade him for pieces that will help the Raiders win and allow Mariota to play somewhere else?

Here are five places that could use Mariota in 2021.

"},{"title":"1. Denver Broncos","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/USATSI_15393440_168393342_lowres.jpg","credit":" Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports","published":1609820659,"caption":"

Denver entered the 2020 season thinking it could contend for a playoff berth but it didn't work out after an injury-plagued season.

Still, there's enough tape of Drew Lock to show he likely will not be the long-term answer for the Broncos. Even if Denver wants to give him another shot, why not bring in Mariota to compete in training camp and see how it goes?

If Lock struggles despite Jerry Jeudy running himself open every few plays, then Mariota could come in and breathe new life into the Broncos offense.

"},{"title":"2. Washington Football Team","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/USATSI_15393832_168393342_lowres.jpg","credit":"Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports","published":1609820719,"caption":"

The Washington Football Team made the NFL playoffs this season which means it will not be in draft position to draft the quarterback of the future.

But looking at the roster, Washington is one good quarterback away from being arguably one of the best rosters in the NFC. The defense has been one of the better units in the NFL headlined by Chase Young and the offense has nice, young weapons in Terry McClaurin and Antonio Gibson.

Alex Smith has been a great story but he's not a viable NFL starting quarterback for a team with real aspirations. I'm not sure Mariota is either, but he increases Washington's ceiling over Smith.

"},{"title":"3. Cincinnati Bengals","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/USATSI_15392019_168393342_lowres.jpg","credit":" Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports","published":1609820785,"caption":"

While Joe Burrow is undoubtedly the long-term starter in Cincinnati, he may not be ready to start the 2021 season while recovering from a torn ACL. If that's the case and the Bengals think they can make some noise in the AFC during Burrow's sophomore season, then perhaps the Bengals should acquire Mariota to start until the former No. 1 overall pick is healthy and ready.

Mariota is an upgrade over Brandon Allen.

"},{"title":"4. New York Giants","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/USATSI_15391618_168393342_lowres.jpg","credit":"Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com via Imagn Content Servi","published":1609820955,"caption":"

In Joe Judge's first season as head coach, the Giants were an Eagles tank job away from winning the NFC East despite having one of the most turnover-prone quarterbacks in the NFL with Daniel Jones.

The Giants should explore the possibility that Jones isn't the long-term answer in New York and an upgrade at quarterback who just takes care of the football will make the Giants a much better team every weekend.

This is the team who started Colt McCoy and won in Seattle this season.

"},{"title":"5. Chicago Bears","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/USATSI_15340266_168393342_lowres.jpg","credit":"Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports","published":1609821007,"caption":"

Like Washington, Chicago has played its way out of the draft range to take a new quarterback by making the playoffs but it's clear Mitchell Trubisky is not the answer for the Bears.

There's nothing Trubisky can do that Mariota cannot do at a similar or higher level whether it be passing or running the ball. Matt Nagy even originally hired Mariota's college coach Mark Helfrich as his offensive coordinator when he took the Bears job.

"}]}

5 NFL Teams that Marcus Mariota could start for next season