It sounds like Tahir Whitehead‘s time with the Raiders has come to an end. In his review of the Raiders’ linebackers corps, Vic Tafur of The Athletic writes that “[i]t doesn’t appear” the veteran will return next year.
While Whitehead may have been a team captain last season, this wouldn’t be overly surprising. The 29-year-old put up some of his worst numbers since becoming a full-time starter in 2016, finishing with 108 tackles, six tackles for loss, and one pass defended.
The Raiders can also save north of $6MM against the cap by cutting Whitehead. The former Lions draft pick signed a three-year, $19MM contract (including $6.27MM guaranteed) with the Raiders back in 2018.
As Tafur writes, it’s been a while since the Raiders got top production out of the linebackers position. This includes 2019, when eight players “combined for zero sacks, zero forced fumbles, zero fumble recoveries and nine passes broken up.” Marquel Lee is likely the only linebacker who will return next season, leading Tafur to surmise that the front office will either turn to free agency or select a linebacker in one of the first three rounds of the draft.
I’m Ron Burgundy?
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