There isn’t a team in the NFL that has been as disappointing as Derek Carr and the Las Vegas Raiders during the 2022 season. After making a surprise run to the playoffs last season, they have failed to carry any of that momentum over.
The Raiders have lost three games this season in which they have led by at least 17 points. Their big offseason splashes have not panned out as there have been some usage issues with Davante Adams and Chandler Jones has been a ghost defensively rushing the passer.
The start of the Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels era could not be much worse. They inherited a relatively strong roster and made what they thought would be big upgrades in the offseason but nothing has panned out. Their biggest issue, however, could be the quarterback position.
Derek Carr has not looked as comfortable this season despite getting to throw the ball to his old college teammates in Adams. The fit seems like an awkward one in McDaniels’ offense and despite some positive words in the offseason, a move seems likely.
Colin Cowherd, while on his show last week, made a bold prediction that Carr wouldn’t be on the Raiders next season. Based on how things have gone and his contract situation, it would be hard to disagree with that.
The Raiders signed Carr to an extension this past offseason, but it was essentially to hedge their bets. It is relatively easy for them to get out of it and with the direction, this season is going, they could be in a position to select one of the top quarterbacks in the 2023 class.
Cowherd’s comments came last week, but things hit rock bottom on Sunday afternoon in Week 10. Hosting the Indianapolis Colts, who fired head coach Frank Reich and hired Jeff Saturday, who was most recently an ESPN analyst and has never coached above the high school level, the Raiders were in a great spot to pick up a much-needed victory.
That victory didn’t materialize as the Colts outplayed the Raiders in every facet of the game with veteran Matt Ryan back under center. Given the circumstances, that loss in itself could be a fireable offense. But, only nine games into their tenure together, Ziegler and McDaniels will likely get the benefit of the doubt and the opportunity to bring in their own quarterback.
