Today we learn which teams will be playing in the Super Bowl. And there are a few former Raiders on these four teams who are hoping to punch their tickets. Including a couple former top five picks.
Commanders DE Clelin Ferrell
Noon (3pm ET) Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles
Known at this point like one of the bigger busts in Raiders history. Mainly because he was taken fourth overall in the draft and never did anything to even warrant being a first round pick. He was a reach at the time. If you don’t believe me, just ask the guy who drafted him. Mike Mayock admitted after Ferrell was selected that the team tried to trade down first, but got no takers, so they selected him anyway.
Ferrell never did much of anything with the Raiders. They didn’t pick up his fifth year option and after his rookie contract was up, they had no problem letting him walk. He spent the 2023 season with the 49ers and latched on with the Commanders this season, where is a rotational guy, having started ten games in 14 appearances while only taking more the 50% of the snaps twice.
Commanders QB Marcus Mariota
Noon (3pm ET) Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles
Mariota spent two seasons with the Raiders, with no starts. He has settled into the role of primary backup. Now he’s behind Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels and he and the rest of the Commanders are hoping to hitch their wagons to a star.
Bills WR Amari Cooper
3:30pm (6:30pm ET) Buffalo Bills vs Kansas City Chiefs
Coop was another fourth overall pick by the Raiders, just like Ferrell. But has had a far more successful career. Even still, midway through his fourth season with the Raiders, he was more valuable in trade than he was to the team, so he was sent to Dallas for a first round pick. Then, as expected, he commanded a huge new contract. A deal the Raiders would never have given him for his production — which was good but not great.
Three years into that deal, the Cowboys traded him to Cleveland. A couple years later — this season — the Browns sent him to Buffalo. And hence he finds himself playing for his first shot at a Super Bowl. And he could beat the Raiders bitter rival Chiefs to get there. You’d have to assume he’d be more excited about this meeting with the Chiefs than he was at any point when he played with the Raiders.
Bills WR Mack Holliins
3:30pm (6:30pm ET) Buffalo Bills vs Kansas City Chiefs
Coop will line up opposite another former Raiders receiver. Hollins has his best season as a pro in his one season in Las Vegas. One could say that season is the whole reason he’s on this team in the first place. Having proven he can be a viable X receiver when called upon.
Bills DT Quinton Jefferson
3:30pm (6:30pm ET) Buffalo Bills vs Kansas City Chiefs
Another guy who had a career year in his one season with the Raiders. He started a career-high 17 games and put up a career-high 47 combined tackles. He’s been on four teams in three years since then, including joining Amari Cooper in being traded from the Browns to the Bills.
