Running Back Kenyan Drake Says Las Vegas Raiders Plan to Release Him

Kenyan Drake is breaking his own news.

The Las Vegas Raiders plan to release the veteran running back and absorb a $3.6 million salary-cap hit this year and $4.4 million in 2023 as a result. Drake said in a phone interview with The Associated Press on Monday that Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler called him personally to let him know the team was moving on.

“He let me know how they were planning on moving forward, how really uncustomary it was for him to tell me himself, and that was just a testament to the respect he has for me as a player, and as a man,” Drake said.

“They had their guys. I mean, they drafted two running backs, they brought in two other running backs, all who I have admiration for. I have respect for their game. So I have nothing bad to say about the organization with how they decided to move,” Drake told the AP. “I’ve been around this game for a while now, and I could just see myself being the odd man out. I feel like it just presents an opportunity for me to go to another team and continue to be the playmaker that I’ve always been.”

Drake said Ziegler told him he would seek an immediate trade.

“If not within the next 24 hours, then for them to kind of just really move on from there, because I was gonna be released regardless,” Drake said. “I just know that regardless, somebody has to pay that contract, whether it is the Raiders or whether it’s the team that eventually picks me up. So pretty much I’ll be getting paid.”

Drake said he could be an asset to another team as a dual-threat back.

“I’m not really looking for any specific type of money, or opportunity specifically. I just want to be able to go out there and compete and help a team win games,” he said. “I’m a simple man. I’m not necessarily in the latter part of my career, but I’m not a second, or third-year player anymore.”

Drake also spoke with Josina Anderson about the Raiders roster move:

Just got off the phone w/ RB Kenyan Drake on the #Raiders moving on: "I'm just vibing at the crib right now. I'm just waiting on the next 24 hours. I don't think anyone would trade for me just because of the contract situation, either way Raiders have to pay me. I'm at peace..1/6

— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) August 22, 2022

with the decision. Honestly, I felt like the writing has been on the wall recently–like within the last two to three weeks. I never felt like I had a fair shot to really compete for the job coming off the injury. At the end of the day that's business…I feel like as time 2/6

— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) August 22, 2022

progressed through camp there really wasn't a role for me to have anymore because they had guys that they brought in, they traded for & I was kind of odd man out, especially coming off my injury. Other than that, I'm at peace with it because I know my capabilities as a player 3/6

— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) August 22, 2022

and I know people are going to use me how I definitely feel like I need to be used, because I'm a playmaker. [On which scheme fits his skills-set the best] "Personally, I feel like I can fit in any type of scheme. I proved to be a first and second-down back in Arizona; 4/6

— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) August 22, 2022

and through my entire career I've proved I can be versatile out the backfield catching passes…in special teams…I'm a professional, at the end of the day I love ball…I don't think it really matters where, as long as…they give me the opportunity to go in and compete. 5/6

— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) August 22, 2022

I got a lot of tread on my tires." 6/6

— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) August 22, 2022

Kenyan also took to social media to send out some meaningful messages:

All love #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/dMOzqHzdEd

— Kenyan Drake™ (@KDx32) August 22, 2022

pic.twitter.com/E1NsL5hZSf

— Kenyan Drake™ (@KDx32) August 22, 2022

This is what can happen when a new regime takes over, it’s all just part of the business of football.

NFL teams must trim their rosters to 80 players by Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.

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