Throughout the 2018 preseason, the Oakland Raiders were working out EJ Manuel and Connor Cook to be the backup behind starter Derek Carr. Cook got the first look as the No. 2, being the first signal-caller to come in after Carr’s departure, but it was Manuel who got the start in preseason game No. 4.
In that game, Manuel played extremely well, hitting Keon Hatcher for three scores, and leading the Raiders to a blowout victory over Seattle. It appeared he made the Raiders 53-man roster when the team released Cook early on Saturday, but Manuel was released as well later in the day, as the team traded for Buffalo Bills quarterback AJ McCarron.