According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Oakland Raiders are giving former Buffalo offensive lineman Richie Incognito another chance at the NFL, much like the Bills previously did themselves.
Per Rapoport, Incognito, who last played in the league with the Bills in 2017, has signed a one-year deal.
Incognito retired from the Bills and NFL in 2018, citing health concerns. However, Incognito also took a pay cut earlier in the 2018 offseason which some also attribute to his sudden retirement because the lineman fired his agent after the fact. The now-35-year-old lineman eventually requested his release from the Bills, which the team granted, but he did not sign with a team in 2018.
Incognito also missed the 2014 season after a bullying sandal erupted during his tenure with the Miami Dolphins involving teammate Jonathan Martin. After sitting out that season, he joined the Bills in 2015. Incognito spent three seasons with the Bills, all of which saw him earn Pro Bowl honors.
Incognito pleaded guilty last month to disorderly conduct in Scottsdale, Arizona, after being accused of threatening employees at a funeral home where his father’s body was being held.
Incognito could face suspension from the NFL over those incidents.
Incognito has not played in the NFL since 2017, when he announced he was retiring from the league. He said earlier this year that he was looking to return to football.
The Raiders made a point to draft players with what they described as high character, making for an intriguing roster mix.
Incognito, a four-time Pro Bowler, does, though, address a real and specific need at left guard after Oakland traded former All-Pro Kelechi Osemele to the New York Jets this offseason. A presumptive Raiders offensive line would be LT Kolton Miller (6-feet-8, 328 pounds), LG Incognito (6-3, 319), C Rodney Hudson (6-2, 300), RG Gabe Jackson (6-3, 335) and RT Trent Brown (6-8, 380).
