The Raiders are now paying their third string quarterback a guaranteed $6.5 million.
Coach Dennis Allen said Wednesday Matt McGloin would be the backup quarterback for Terrelle Pryor against the San Diego Chargers and not Matt Flynn. Pryor is free of symptoms from his concussion and will start against the Chargers Sunday night at O.co Coliseum.
“It hasn’t worked out like we anticipated and we’ve got to make decisions and we’ve got to move forward and continue to go,” Allen said. “Matt’s going to continue to battle and scratch and claw and I still believe that he’s a capable quarterback, but we’re going to give McGloin a chance.”
McGloin, an undrafted free agent, beat the odds once already with a Raider, winning the spot as the third quarterback over fourth-round pick Tyler Wilson. Now he’s supplanted Flynn, who was tentative and unsure in a 24-14 loss to the Washington Redskins while Pryor recovered from a concussion.
“I like what Matt brings to the table as far as his competitiveness, he’s got some moxie to him,” Allen said. “He just understands how to play the game and I don’t think it’s too big for him. I think he’ll come in and if he’s called upon to run the offense I think he’ll do a good job. He’s smart, he throws an accurate ball, he’s got good arm strength. He’s good in decision-making, so I like what this kid has to work with.”