Raiders' Darren Waller on Jarrett Stidham Replacing Derek Carr: 'We Believe in Him'
Dec 29, 2022
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 18: Darren Waller #83 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates after scoring a touchdown during an NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Las Vegas Raiders star Darren Waller offered a vote of confidence in the team's new starting quarterback, Jarrett Stidham.
Waller told reporters Wednesday that he and his teammates "took note that he knew what he was doing" in training camp, which helped build belief in his abilities. The roster is now looking to maintain a unified front around Stidham with him taking over for Derek Carr.
"The only thing that's productive is to support Jarrett going forward," he said. "We're rallying around him and letting him know we believe in him and doing what we can to prepare for San Francisco."
This will be Stidham's first start since entering the NFL, and he hasn't done much in his limited time on the field. The 2019 fourth-round pick has gone 32-of-61 for 342 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions in 11 appearances.
Benching Carr seems to be less an endorsement of Stidham and more a sign of the Raiders' plans for the three-time Pro Bowler. If Las Vegas cuts or trades Carr shortly after the Super Bowl, then it's only on the hook for a fraction of his $34.9 million salary cap hit in 2023.
But saying the quiet part—Stidham is a placeholder and a clear downgrade from his predecessor—doesn't achieve much. Las Vegas hasn't even been mathematically eliminated from the postseason yet.
You can't blame Waller for remaining outwardly optimistic about the Raiders' chances with Stidham under center.
Raiders HC Josh McDaniels Talks Potentially Benching Derek Carr for Jarrett Stidham
Dec 27, 2022
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 18: Head coach Josh McDaniels of the Las Vegas Raiders and Derek Carr #4 react during the second half against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels hasn't ruled out benching star quarterback Derek Carr for backup Jarrett Stidham.
"That's not good enough, you know what I mean?" McDaniels said Monday in response to a question about Carr's recent performances, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Vincent Bonsignore. "And for us to be able to win this time of the year and be productive offensively, you have to throw the ball better than what we've thrown it at times here over the last month-in-a-half."
While later discussing general playing-time decisions over players with injury or contractual issues, McDaniels added he wouldn't treat the quarterback position any differently in the event he thought a change is required.
"I think there's a possibility that we would do the right thing, regardless of the position, in terms of the team," the coach said.
While McDaniels didn't name Carr, he also refused to say his starting quarterback wouldn't change before the end of the season.
Through his first 10 starts this season, Carr threw 15 touchdowns to five interceptions while averaging 243.5 yards per game. His performance has since fallen off noticeably. The three-time Pro Bowler has averaged 217.4 yards per contest with nine touchdowns and nine interceptions over the last five weeks.
The odds of Stidham actually replacing Carr are probably low. The 2019 fourth-round pick has thrown for 342 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions in 11 appearances.
McDaniels' comments are nonetheless pretty damning for a player who signed a three-year, $121.5 million extension in the spring and is supposed to be the franchise QB.
Carr's contract does provide the Raiders with an escape route this offseason. Cutting or trading him before June 1 would result in a $5.6 million dead cap hit but save $29.3 million in salary-cap space.
Perhaps that's an option the front office will seriously consider if Carr's slide continues over the final two games.
Derek Carr Criticized by Raiders Fans After Davante Adams Struggles in Steelers Loss
Dec 25, 2022
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) calls signals during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
When six-time All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams forced the Green Bay Packers to trade him to the Las Vegas Raiders over the offseason, there was an expectation that reforming his connection with his college teammate Derek Carr would lead to offensive fireworks.
While the Fresno State alums showed flashes of brilliance throughout the season, Adams didn't produce with the same consistency we've grown accustomed to, and he was nearly nonexistent once again as he registered just two catches for 15 yards in the Raiders' 13-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night.
Carr had an abysmal showing, throwing for 174 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions on 16-of-30 passing. All three of his picks came in the second half, and his last one came after Pittsburgh took its first lead of the game with less than a minute to go in the fourth quarter.
NFL Twitter was not happy with Carr for how he failed to get Adams involved in the offense during the disappointing loss:
Daily reminder how insane it is that Davante Adams left Aaron Rodgers for DEREK CARR
#Raiders WR Davante Adams' two catches tonight have come on passes thrown 3 and -8 yards downfield. Carr is 0-of-5 targeting Adams on passes thrown more than 3 yards downfield. Per @ESPNStatsInfo
Saturday's outing marks Adams' third straight game without a touchdown and with less than 100 yards, 10 targets or five catches. A player of his caliber should never be such a non-factor for a team that is now on the brink of elimination from playoff contention.
The Raiders (6-9) will need Carr to utilize Adams more if they hope to be successful when they return to action on New Year's Day against the San Francisco 49ers (11-4), who boast one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Derek Carr Says He Doesn't Think About Future with Raiders During Season
Dec 15, 2022
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 04: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders warms up prior to a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
Despite speculation about his future with the Las Vegas Raiders, quarterback Derek Carr said Thursday that he is focused entirely on the task at hand.
When asked Wednesday whether he's thinking about where he will be in 2023 and beyond, Carr made it clear that he isn't concerning himself with that:
"To be honest, during the season I don't. I've always tried my best to—as I've gotten older in my career—just eliminate all of those things. ... Whenever you have a bad stretch of games or a losing stretch of games or anything like that, that stuff's going to happen. And so, for me, I don't. I should've been traded for eight years now, you know? It is what it is. We have passionate fans; they're passionate people that they just want to see us win. And so, when we don't, obviously they get mad. And they think, 'Oh, then we got to fix something,' and stuff like that."
Carr has spent his entire nine-year NFL career with the Raiders. But since the Raiders could cut him during the offseason and be left with only a $5.6 million dead cap hit, per Spotrac, there has been plenty of talk regarding whether the 2022 campaign could be his last one in silver and black.
The 31-year-old Carr signed a three-year, $121.5 million extension in April, keeping him under contract through 2025, but this season has been a hugely disappointing one for Carr and the Raiders.
After reaching the playoffs last season for the first time since 2016, expectations were sky high for the Raiders entering 2022. They acquired superstar wide receiver Davante Adams in a trade with the Green Bay Packers, signed pass-rusher Chandler Jones in free agency and hired longtime New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as their new head coach.
Carr has built a strong rapport with Adams and put up decent numbers, completing 62.0 percent of his passes for 3,117 yards, 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
However, the Raiders are just 5-8 on the season. They'll likely need to win out to even have a chance of reaching the playoffs.
The Raiders have had their fair share of bad losses this season, including three in a row to the New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts in October and November.
They went on a three-game winning streak after that, but they suffered perhaps their biggest embarrassment of the season last week when they allowed quarterback Baker Mayfield, who had joined the Los Angeles Rams just two days earlier, to lead two touchdown drives in the final four minutes in a 17-16 Rams win.
With the Raiders losing to multiple non-playoff teams this season, it isn't outside the realm of possibility that some major changes could be on the way.
Carr is a solid quarterback, but it is fair to wonder how far he is capable of taking a team. The Raiders have never won a playoff game during his tenure.
The Raiders are currently in line for a top-10 pick in the 2023 NFL draft. If there are multiple quarterbacks in the class whom they like, that could make it easier for them to part ways with Carr.
Josh McDaniels, Penalties Sink Raiders' Season in Stunning Fashion vs. Baker Mayfield
Dec 9, 2022
Raiders coach Josh McDaniels
In something out of a Hollywood script, Baker Mayfield joined the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday and delivered an epic comeback win on Thursday. That's going to be the topic of conversation heading into the weekend, and rightfully so. However, Mayfield's signature drive overshadows the fact that the Las Vegas Raiders blew a game they should have won.
Poor decision-making by head coach Josh McDaniels gave Mayfield and the Rams one last chance. Dumb penalties extended their opportunity. Las Vegas' three-game winning streak is over as is, most likely, its playoff chances.
The Raiders have no one but themselves to blame.
What Mayfield did on Thursday was incredible, and perhaps unprecedented.
Baker Mayfield playing Quarterback for the Rams tonight, 2 days after joining the team, is the shortest amount of time spent with a new team before playing QB (since at least 1995)
The 2018 No. 1 overall pick had some understandably shaky moments, but he played extremely well considering the short amount of time he's been a Ram. He finished 22-of-35 for 230 yards and a game-winning touchdown.
That score came after engineering a 98-yard drive with less than two minutes remaining and no timeouts. He capped it with a laser strike to Van Jefferson in the end zone.
Do the Rams have any giant flags lying around? Asking for a friend…@bakermayfield | #OUDNA
That's incredible stuff, but realistically, Mayfield and the Rams should have never had a chance in this one. Las Vegas took a 13-point lead with just over 12 minutes remaining. The lead probably should have been larger.
McDaniels called an extremely conservative game against the Rams, opting to ride the running game and settle for field goals. Quarterback Derek Carr attempted just 20 passes, while the Raiders rushed 38 times as a team.
Perhaps McDaniels didn't trust Carr, who did toss a pair of interceptions, or perhaps he didn't respect L.A.'s ability to put points on the board. Either way, going conservative was the wrong call.
The Raiders scored a touchdown on their opening drive and didn't find the end zone again.
McDaniels was especially timid late in the game. He opted to kick a field goal on 4th-and-3 from the Rams 18-yard line in the fourth quarter. After L.A. scored on the ensuing drive, McDaniels chose to punt on 4th-and-1 when a first down would have sealed it.
Of course, the loss wasn't entirely on McDaniels. Penalties—the Raiders had seven of them for 94 yards—absolutely doomed Las Vegas. The Rams' final drive was kept alive by an Amik Robinson pass interference penalty and a Jerry Tillery unsportsmanlike conduct call.
And Las Vegas' defense on that final 98-yard drive was simply atrocious. Los Angeles didn't have its top weapon in Cooper Kupp (injured reserve, ankle) and still drove nearly the length of the field.
#Raiders let the Rams go 98 yards in two minutes to win the game with:
* A QB cut by the Panthers * A QB only one team put a claim in on * A QB who joined the Rams 48 hours ago * Tutu Atwell, Van Jefferson, Ben Skowronek as weapons * The NFL’s worst offensive line
Raiders defenders failed to execute, but defensive coordinator Patrick Graham doesn't get off the hook. His decision to play press coverage at the end of the drive instead of protecting the end zone surprised even Mayfield.
"To be honest with you I was completely shocked they would line up in press coverage with 15 seconds left," Mayfield said on the Amazon postgame segment.
The offense deserves some blame too. Carr didn't have a great game, or even a good game, and his interception in the end zone on a badly floated ball was a backbreaker.
Carr's second interception came on Las Vegas' desperation drive at the end of the game and was largely inconsequential.
If Carr doesn't throw the first pick, if the Raiders don't play not to lose late, if their defense doesn't draw multiple flags on the game-winning drive, Las Vegas wins this game.
However, this wasn't a game decided by bad fortune. It was another sign of what has become a problematic trend in Las Vegas this season. The Raiders have repeatedly blown big leads under McDaniels.
According to ESPN Stats and Information, Las Vegas is only the fourth team to blow four leads of 13 or more points in the same season.
The Raiders are the fourth team to lose 4 games in a season after leading by 13 or more points, joining the 1998 Colts, 1996 Jets and 1982 Rams. pic.twitter.com/8a2bbblLwu
According to Josh Dubow of the Associated Press, the Raiders are the first team "since at least 1930" to lose four games when leading by at least 10 points at halftime.
Oh, and Las Vegas' previous loss came against the Indianapolis Colts and head coach Jeff Saturday—who debuted in that game with no previous NFL coaching experience.
What's likely most frustrating for Raiders fans is that this isn't a bad football team. From Carr, Josh Jacobs and Davante Adams to Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones, it's loaded with Pro Bowl-caliber talent.
Talent alone doesn't win games, though, which is why McDaniels has come under fire in his first season as the Raiders' head coach.
Franchise owner Mark Davis offered up his support for McDaniels after Las Vegas started the season 2-7.
"I like Josh. I think he’s doing a fantastic job," Davis said, per Ed Graney of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "You have to look at where we came from and where we’re going."
After 2-7 became 5-7, it felt like Davis' faith in McDaniels was justified. It feels less so after Thursday's loss. The Raiders had a sloppy, uninspired performance against a team with little to play for, and it likely cost them any chance at the postseason.
Their final four games won't be easy. They host the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs with a road trip to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16.
Yet, a 4-0 run to finish the season isn't entirely unrealistic. The Patriots and Steelers are average teams, the 49ers have lost starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, and the Chiefs may have no reason to play their starters in the finale.
Due to Thursday's loss, though—and due to Las Vegas' other baffling losses this season—4-0 probably won't matter. The Raiders can now finish, at best, 9-8. That's just not going to be good enough in a deep AFC.
Credit Mayfield for ripping the Raiders' hearts out on a national stage, but he's not the reason Las Vegas isn't a playoff team. The Raiders simply aren't disciplined enough, aggressive enough or well-coached enough to make a run this season.
Baker Mayfield Stuns NFL Twitter with Game-Winning Drive as Rams Beat Raiders
Dec 9, 2022
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield (17) celebrates a touchdown by wide receiver Van Jefferson during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Baker Mayfield joined the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday. By Thursday, he was a hero.
Against all odds, Mayfield led the Rams on a 98-yard, game-winning touchdown drive—in a minute and 35 seconds with zero timeouts—to catapult them to a shocking 17-16 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
There aren't many times in professional sports when coaches, fans or pundits willingly settle on "well, they tried their best" as a satisfactory evaluation of a performance. These athletes are paid millions of dollars to win. Wherever you fall on the contrived "performance trophy" debate, they most certainly aren't handed out in the NFL.
But in this case, given the circumstances, "well, he tried his best" would have sufficed. Had the Rams lost, nobody would have blamed Mayfield.
Mayfield didn't just save the Rams; he saved the viewing experience for everyone else. This was not an aesthetically pleasing football game for 58 minutes. Mayfield's counterpart, Derek Carr (11-of-20 for 137 yards and zero touchdowns with two interceptions), didn't exactly raise the collective understanding of what peak quarterbacking could be.
But in those final two minutes, Mayfield provided us with a far more compelling story. It's been a struggle for him over the past two years, but he reminded us of the potential that made him the No. 1 overall pick in 2018.
It may be a blip in an otherwise disappointing season for Mayfield and his team for the past two days. But it certainly was a memorable one.
Raiders' Derek Carr, Davante Adams Trade Advice Entering Fantasy Deadline
Nov 10, 2022
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 06: Davante Adams #17 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs up the field after making a reception in the first quarter of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on November 06, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
This isn't how the season was supposed to go for the Las Vegas Raiders.
After all, they are coming off a playoff appearance and added one of the best wide receivers in the league in Davante Adams during the offseason. The expectation was to challenge for the top spot in the AFC West, but they are instead 2-6 and trending in the wrong direction.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported they placed tight end Darren Waller and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow on injured reserve and provided additional context to the setbacks:
And so due to various injuries, the Raiders now will have had their Big Four - Josh Jacobs, Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller - on the field together this season for a grand total of 43 plays. https://t.co/EPOuDMOiFm
Yet trouble for the Raiders on the field could mean opportunity for fantasy football players looking to pounce.
Adams has, at times, been less than his typically stellar self this season. He posted one catch for three yards in a Week 8 loss to the New Orleans Saints, five catches for 36 yards in a Week 3 loss to the Tennessee Titans and two catches for 12 yards in a Week 2 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Perhaps fantasy football managers with Adams on their team have grown frustrated with the roller-coaster ride of a season that seems to change on a weekly basis and could be looking to make a trade.
If that is the case in your league, jump on it.
Adams' resume includes five Pro Bowls and two All-Pro selections, and he finished the 2021 season with 123 catches for 1,553 yards and 11 touchdowns. Few players in the league have a higher ceiling than him, and he has still put up monster numbers on at times.
One of those performances came in the most recent game when he tallied 10 catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns on an astounding 17 targets in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He figures to see even more targets with Renfrow and Waller sidelined and could reach the 1,300-yard mark for the fourth time in five years with 658 through eight games.
Fantasy players should be looking for any way possible to buy low on Adams in a trade, but more caution should be used with Carr.
While he surpassed 4,000 passing yards in each of the last four seasons, he has thrown for more than 300 yards in a game just once this year and has two games with fewer than 200 passing yards.
Now, he is losing two of his top targets for at least the next four games, so it is unrealistic to expect a drastic upward tick in production.
This may be the first time since 2017 he fails to reach the 4,000-yard mark through the air, and he isn't a running threat, either. Given the lack of rushing yards and his downturn in the passing game, look elsewhere when seeking quarterback trades.
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