One of the oldest and probably most overlooked rivalries in the NFL is that of the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders. Back in the heyday of the old AFL, these were the two powerhouses of the league. It bred a level of hatred that still filters down into the generations of today. Matt Nagy lived that rivalry for the past five seasons as Chiefs quarterbacks coach and then offensive coordinator.
It reached a fever pitch in 2016 when the two teams wrestled for control of the AFC West division with both making the playoffs. Nagy and the Chiefs ended up getting the better of their rivals with a further trip into the postseason. Now he’s left for Chicago. One can imagine he’s not thinking about the Raiders much these days.
Then again that’s not to say he wouldn’t jump at the opportunity to take advantage of one of their mistakes. That chance just came up with a recent cut the Raiders made.
Matt Nagy can thank Raiders by signing punter Marquette King
Punting in the NFL isn’t the most glamorous job. It might be the most underappreciated position in football, to be honest. At the same time, teams that have good ones tend to have a certain degree of success in critical parts of the game. This is especially true on defense. Chicago has suffered from mostly mediocre punting for years including the era of Pat O’Donnell, whom they just signed. Oakland just made it to where it doesn’t have to be that way anymore by cutting Marquette King.
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Marquette King went over to the Raiders' facility today to meet some of the coaches. Never got the chance. GM Reggie McKenzie pulled him in, spoke to him and, in the end, informed King he was being released.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 30, 2018
King has consistently been one of the best punters in the league since 2015. During that time he has placed in the top 10 in net punt average each year including a career-best third in 2017. He’s had just one punt blocked during that span as well with opponents averaging just 6.4 yards per return. O’Donnell has never placed in the top 15. Nevermind the top 10.
King is only 29-years old. In punter years that’s still exceedingly young. His biggest crime to this point is being a bit too fun-loving at times that has drawn a flag from the refs. He’s never been a locker room problem. He’s merely a different kind of cat. The Bears seem to embrace those types these days. Ask Tarik Cohen and Taylor Gabriel.
Signing him would be a substantial upgrade to the Bears special teams. Nagy should push for it if he’s as smart as people say.
