The Oakland Raiders have made a number of moves during the offseason that will likely improve their team next season and one of those was trading for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Flynn, who appears to have the inside edge as for the starting job as offseason workouts begin.
According to NFL.com, general manager Reggie McKenzie said that Flynn is the "presumed starter" as the offseason continued and that the organization is not completely sold on Terrelle Pryor, which was one reason why the trade was made. The team dealt Carson Palmer to the Arizona Cardinals and all indications were that the team was happy with just Pryor and Flynn, but the Raiders drafted Tyler Wilson from Arkansas and he could end up ahead of Pryor on the depth chart when all is said and done. The fourth round pick put up great stats at Arkansas and is considered a good leader.
McKenzie said that he will begin "at the bottom until he can maneuver his way up by his play" and that could vault him into the backup position before the season starts. Flynn has the edge, but he has very little experience starting and could end up losing the job over the summer. Flynn started two games while with the Packers and in one of them he set a record with six touchdowns and passed for 480 yards in a victory over the Lions.
Both Pryor and Wilson have little experience and even though Flynn is unproven, the team will try to use him first since they gave up draft picks to get him. Flynn originally signed a three-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks before last season, but Russell Wilson beat him out in training camp and took over as the starter and led the team to the playoffs. The Seahawks acquired Percy Harvin in the offseason and brought in Brady Quinn to replace him.
The Raiders went just 4-12 last season and made a number of solid moves, including signing free agents Kevin Burnett, Nick Roach as well as DBs Mike Jenkins and Tracy Porter. The team will be improved in the AFC West, but so will the Chiefs and the Broncos so far have the edge after winning last season.
