The Oakland Raiders expressed interest in Richie Incognito when they hosted him for a visit earlier this offseason, and they have decided to sign the veteran offensive lineman.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Incognito has agreed to a one-year deal with the Raiders.
Sources: The #Raiders are signing free agent guard Richie Incognito to a 1-year deal. He’s back in the league after a hiatus, having last played for the #Bills in 2017.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 28, 2019
A previous report claimed Oakland’s interest in signing Incognito depended on whether or not the 35-year-old was going to be suspended by the NFL. While Incognito did not play last year, he was arrested at a funeral home in Arizona last August for allegedly threatening employees and making references to having guns in his car following his father’s death. He ended up pleading guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct and receiving 11 months of probation. Incognito also got a suspended 90-day jail sentence that he will not have to serve if he completes a mental health evaluation and treatment.
It’s possible Incognito could face disciplinary action from the NFL stemming from that incident.
While Incognito was still playing at a high level when he was with the Buffalo Bills in 2017, the four-time Pro Bowler has had numerous off-field issues. He was arrested over an altercation with a man at a gym in May 2018 and reportedly told police after that incident that he believes he is being tracked by government officials. He was also infamously at the center of the Jonathan Martin bullying scandal with the Miami Dolphins, and his friends have expressed concern over his mental health.
