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Aaron Brooks had a career-low 70.0 passer rating last season and was benched in December.
After failing to land Daunte Culpepper, after declining to bid on Drew Brees, the Oakland Raiders called for their version of their quarterback keeper.
They reached agreement with former Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks on a two-year deal worth about $8 million. There was some speculation that Brooks could visit Green Bay, but he passed up any chances to stay in Oakland.
Now, Brooks becomes the favorite to be Randy Moss' starting quarterback, Andrew Walter and Marques Tuiasosopo are likely to be back on the bench, Kerry Collins will not be returning to Oakland, and the Raiders have added their first significant offseason piece.
The Raiders told Brooks he would compete for the starting job -- no promises in advance. But he gives the Raiders the veteran presence they need.
It's a nice present for Brooks, who will turn 30 years old March 24.
Brooks managed to latch on to one of the few teams in the league that still had questions as to who would start at quarterback. At this point of free agency, starting jobs did not exactly abound, but Brooks found one.
Oakland views Brooks as a quarterback that has averaged 25 touchdown passes a year, and a player who can be a star if he learns to limit his mistakes. Other NFL teams view Brooks as a poor man's Culpepper, the quarterback the Raiders initially targeted. Somebody's right, and the Raiders are rooting that it's them.
Source: NFL.com