PHOENIX -- The Raiders remain one of three clear candidates for a move to Los Angeles, but team owner Mark Davis on Monday wouldn't say much about a potential relocation.
When Around The NFL asked Davis if he could see the Silver and Black staying in Oakland deep into the future, he smiled and replied: "Absolutely, absolutely. Yes, sir."
Despite the verbal vote of confidence, the Raiders remain one of the most logical squads for a move after teaming with the San Diego Chargers for a stadium proposal in Carson, California, back in February. With the Rams also in play to relocate out of St. Louis, New York Giants owner John Mara said Sunday that he expects "one to two teams playing in Los Angeles" in 2016.
We should know more on the future of pro football in Los Angeles shortly, with the league expected to provide an update on the situation during Monday's meeting. A league source told NFL Media's Albert Breer that the NFL is working to set up April visits to San Diego, Oakland and St. Louis to conduct its own market assessment on those three cities. Still, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport made it clear that a trio of clubs in Southern California isn't seen as "feasible" by the NFL.
That means Davis, ultimately, might have no choice but to be "absolutely" fine with remaining in Oakland. Still, there's plenty left to this story.
Other nuggets from Davis:
- The owner said he was content with the free-agency haul produced by general manager Reggie McKenzie, but talked about the Raiders roster as a work-in-progress, saying: "It's not over. There's still more players out there."
- Davis made waves at last year's Owners Meeting when he labeled fullback Marcel Reece as Oakland's core player. Davis wasn't about to travel down that wormhole again. When I asked him to name his current "core" types, he grinned as he walked away, saying only: "Ask Jack (Del Rio)."
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