JaMarcus Russell was supposed to be a franchise-changer for the Oakland Raiders.
Instead, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft became synonymous with “bust” and barely made a dent in pro football.
The Raiders had high hopes for JaMarcus Russell but he was soon out of the league[/caption]
“The skill level he (Russell) has is certainly John Elway-like,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said.
Seventeen years later, Russell is almost forgotten by NFL fans, despite receiving a huge $61 million contract and coming out of LSU with generational hype.
But in another reminder of the intense rivalry that bonds the Chiefs with the Raiders — the AFC West foes will meet again on Black Friday as Patrick Mahomes faces off vs Maxx Crosby — Russell actually found some on-field success against Kansas City.
The 6ft 6in and 265lb quarterback produced a 7-18 career record from 2007-09 with the Raiders.
Yet almost one-third of Russell’s seven wins came against one team.
The Chiefs.
He was 2-2 overall vs KC, including a 23-8 victory for the Raiders in Week 2 of the 2008 season.
With Lane Kiffin coaching Oakland and Herm Edwards guiding Kansas City, Russell only completed 6-of-17 passes for 55 yards.
A huge game from running back Darren McFadden boosted the Raiders, as the former No. 4 overall pick out of Arkansas rushed for 164 yards and a TD.
Mahomes was 13-years-old when Russell was the QB of the Raiders, while Andy Reid was coaching Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook and DeSean Jackson with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Russell had a huge arm and became the No. 1 pick of the 2007 NFL Draft[/caption]
He went 2-2 against Kansas City but was 7-18 overall and only played three years[/caption]
Maxx Crosby and Patrick Mahomes will renew the Raiders-Chiefs rivalry on Black Friday[/caption]
The Chiefs lead the all-time series against the Raiders 74-55-2.
Las Vegas won on Christmas Day last year 20-14.
But Kansas City is 7-1 in the rivalry since November 2020 and the Super Bowl-contending Chiefs will be heavily favored on Friday.
As for Russell, turnover problems plagued the ex-Tiger in the NFL.
He finished his pro career with more interceptions (23) than TDs (18).
But off-the-field issues were even more problematic.
Russell regularly appeared overweight — he reportedly approached 300 pounds — while questions lingered about his willingness to study the Raiders’ playbook.
The former No. 1 pick quickly fell out of favor in Oakland, falling down the depth chart and struggling to stay on the field.
Russell’s game log against Kansas City captured his NFL career.
He won two games against the Raiders’ biggest division rival.
But he only completed 33.7 percent (31-of-92) of his passes, didn’t throw a TD and posted a 46.5 rating.
Mahomes will attempt to push the Chiefs to 11-1 on Friday, as Kansas City tries maintain the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
The Raiders are 2-9 and already eyeing the 2025 NFL Draft, where they could hold the No. 1 pick again and potentially select one of Deion Sanders’ young Colorado stars.
Russell made about $40 million in his pro career but never reached his full $61 million contract.
In June, the ex-Raider was fired as a volunteer assistant coach at Williamson High School in Mobile, Alabama.
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