The Raiders did not like what they saw from backup quarterbacks Connor Cook and EJ Manuel during the preseason, so they decided to make a move for McCarron (who was thought to be Buffalo's starting quarterback this season before getting injured). McCarron is a quality backup, which is what the Raiders wanted.

The Bills decided that they liked what they saw from both Nathan Peterman and Josh Allen to move on from McCarron. It is an interesting move, and they did not receive much in return, so Buffalo will likely be scrutinized heavily at the quarterback position in 2018. In the end, McCarron struggled as a starting QB candidate.

Whatever fantasy value McCarron had as a potential starter in Buffalo is now gone. He is merely a handcuff for all Derek Carr owners now, while both Peterman and Allen (especially the latter) see their stock rise after this deal. The big losers are Cook and Manuel, whose value was already microscopic even before this deal.