Oakland Raiders sign free agent quarterback Matt Leinart on a one-year deal – NFL News
The Oakland Raiders have given a one-year contract to free agent, quarterback, Matt Leinart, who was recently released by Houston Texans.
Before being signed, Leinart was called for a workout by Raiders and the management apparently is satisfied with the fitness level of the player.
During his post-draft press conference, Raiders’ general manager, Reggie McKenzie, admitted that the management had called the player for the workout, but the GM maintained that the team would not decide anything without observing Leinart’s performance on the field.
McKenzie said during the press conference:
“Well what we are doing is we are bringing Matt Leinart in for a tryout. Signing and all of that is secondary. But we are bringing him in for a tryout.”
Leinart started his professional National Football League (NFL) career in 2006 with Arizona Cardinals after signing a six-year, $51 million dollar deal.
In his rookie season, he started 11 games for the Cards while playing 12 in which he completed a total of 214 passes of 377 attempts for 2,547 yards and sent 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He received a quarterback rating of 74.0.
In his second season, he could only play and start five games before suffering fractured collarbone, which forced him out of the entire season.
After recovering from the injury, he joined the team’s training camp for his third season. During a preseason game, he struggled with accuracy and the management decided against introducing him as the starter in the next regular season. Leinart could only play four games in that season.
After playing another year with the Cards, Leinart was released in 2010 and he later joined the Houston Texans.
Texans had signed his as their backup quarterback, and Leinart was unable to play even a single game in his first season with Texans.
During the last season, he played two games for Texans while starting only one before suffering another shoulder injury, which forced him out of the season.
Last month, Texans released him and the player became a free agent.
When Raiders called him for the workout, they wanted to see how healthy Leinart was. The GM said of inviting him:
“The fact is he is an experienced quarterback and we just want to take a closer look at him, watch him throw the ball and see his size of injury has come around.”
Raiders were apparently satisfied with the player and it seems that he has fully recovered from the injury.
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