ALAMEDA, Calif. — Three years, more than $39 million and only seven wins as the starting quarterback for the Oakland Raiders.
The verdict is in on JaMarcus Russell’s career in Oakland, and he just might be the NFL’s biggest draft bust. The Raiders released Russell on Thursday, just three years after making him the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft.
The decision came less than two weeks after Oakland acquired Jason Campbell from the Washington Redskins to take over at quarterback. It signifies that owner Al Davis finally lost patience with the immensely talented but unproductive player he drafted in 2007 against the wishes of former coach Lane Kiffin.
“We wish him well,” senior executive John Herrera said.
Russell completed just 52.1 percent of his passes in his career with 18 touchdowns, 23 interceptions, 15 lost fumbles and a passer rating of 65.2.
The Raiders paid Russell about $36.4 million through last season. They still owe him $3 million more, putting the final tally on his earnings at about $39.4 million.
25 Games Russell started, winning just seven.
65.2 Passer rating; he completed just 52.1 percent of his passes, with 18 TDs, 23 INTs and 15 lost fumbles.
$5.1 million Amount paid Russell per victory in a Raiders’ uniform. The team paid more than $100,000 per completion.
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