Marcus Mariota remains on the roster of the Las Vegas Raiders as the NFL’s free agency period enters its second week.

The Raiders’ backup quarterback probably hoped he would have signed with another team by now and would be preparing to compete for a starting quarterback position for the 2021 season. Instead, Mariota could be deciding whether to remain with the Raiders for another season after the team reportedly issued an ultimatum last week to accept a pay cut or be traded or released.

The Raiders do not want to pay Mariota’s $10.6 million base salary for the 2021 season and want the former Oregon Ducks star take a pay cut of $7 million and accept a salary of $3 million. Mariota wasn’t expected to accept a pay cut, increasing the possibility of a trade or release.

A restructured contract would have made it easier to facilitate a trade. However, Mariota reportedly has been unwilling to negotiate a restructured deal, possibly in an effort to force the Raiders to release him. The Raiders needed to clear salary cap space ahead of free agency, and there was speculation they would release Mariota to shed his salary, which is the third-highest on the team.

Mariota may have been banking on forcing the Raiders to release him and his salary before the free agency period began. Getting an outright release would have allowed Mariota to pick a team and negotiate a new contract. Instead of allowing the Raiders to dictate which team he joined via trade, Mariota reportedly decided to play hardball, force his release and have a choice of teams to choose from.

Mariota’s leverage looks like it has dissipated.

Teams in need at the position — particularly the New England Patriots, Washington Football Team and the Chicago Bears — have signed quarterbacks who are expected to start in 2021. The majority of teams have a starting quarterback, and the other teams now have enough quarterbacks on their rosters to compete for the starting spot. There are few teams in a position to give Mariota a legitimate opportunity to compete for a starting job in training camp.

The Raiders are currently under no pressure to release Mariota. His 2021 salary isn’t guaranteed until the regular season, and they can wait until a team that needs a quarterback comes calling, possibly during training camp or the regular season.

If the Raiders release Mariota now, he would likely have to sign on with another team as a backup, with the chance to start as a result of poor play or injury during the season.

— Geoffrey C. Arnold 5/8 @geoffreyCarnold