Raiders, Green Bay Packers to play preseason game in Canada
ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Raiders will meet the Green Bay Packers for a preseason game on Aug. 22 in the Canadian city of Winnipeg, a source said Tuesday afternoon.
They’ll play at Investor’s Group Field, home of the Canadian Football League’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers. For months, the Raiders have explored an arrangement to move a home exhibition from Oakland to Canada. Regina, Saskatchewan, emerged as an early favorite before talks centered on Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The Raiders had financial incentive to move the exhibition.
Not all details are known, but benefits include a $500,000 stadium rent reduction for RingCentral Coliseum. This provision was included in the lease agreement, which was finalized in March.
Another reason was to avoid playing on the stadium’s baseball dirt infield. The Raiders share the Coliseum every August and September with the Oakland Athletics. The site, formerly known as the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, was renamed last week.
All NFL teams are assigned 10 home games between the preseason and regular season. Only eight for the Raiders will be played in Oakland. Along with the Canada trip, they are scheduled to meet the Chicago Bears in London on Oct. 6. The Week 5 matchup will be held at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
On Aug. 10, the Raiders will open their preseason in Oakland against the Los Angeles Rams.
Notable
— The Raiders aired it out Tuesday during organized team activities. Quarterback Derek Carr and wide receiver Tyrell Williams connected for a 50-yard touchdown during an early 7-on-7 period. Shortly thereafter, backup quarterback Nathan Peterman hit wide receiver Antonio Brown for a deep completion of similar yardage.
— Right tackle Trent Brown, left guard Denzelle Good, defensive end Arden Key, defensive tackle P.J. Hall, rookie cornerback Isaiah Johnson and linebacker Brandon Marshall missed practice. Good has missed at least a week of activities, allowing Richie Incognito to see heavy work with the starters. Brandon Parker worked at first-team right tackle in Brown’s absence.
— Shaun Herock, former Raiders director of college scouting, is expected to join the Cleveland Browns’ front office, according to Monday Morning Quarterback. He served as interim general manager following Reggie McKenzie’s dismissal last December.
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Contact reporter Michael Gehlken at mgehlken@reviewjournal.com. Follow @GehlkenNFL on Twitter.
