The Oakland Raiders have signed controversial offensive guard Richie Incognito. The deal is a one-year prove-it deal.
We have signed free agent G Richie Incognito: https://t.co/TyDRUFsh1B pic.twitter.com/WsWOlCuJqY
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) May 28, 2019
Incognito had not played in the NFL since 2017 when he retired from football. In early March he had worked out for the Raiders but left without a contract offer. The Raiders needed help at the guard position and decided to bring Incognito in on a one-year deal.
From 2015 to 2017, Incognito played for the Buffalo Bills and made the Pro Bowl in each season. Incognito has had a lot of problems in time in the NFL. In 2013 he was being investigated for bullying then-Dolphins teammate Johnathan Martin. He got suspended for that and missed the entire 2014 season.
Just last month Incognito pleaded guilty to a disorderly conduct charge in Scottsdale, Arizona, stemming from an incident in July.
However, the addition of Incognito does address a need to the Raiders offensive line. Since the trade of Kelechi Osemele to the Jets, there is a big hole at left guard. Incognito should come in and fill the void. On the field, Incognito brings toughness and grit.
One big question remains, though: how well will he get along with his teammates such as Antonio Brown and Vontaze Burfict?
If Incognito can mesh well in the locker room and does not have any off-the-field problems, he could be a steal for the Raiders. This definitely is a risky move.
