With Derek Carr as starting quarterbackthe Las Vegas Raiders Without him in the locker room.
Meanwhile, his Raiders teammates including a close friend Davant Adams They have responded to the news.
Coach Josh McDaniels announced Wednesday the quarterback backup Garrett Stidham He would take over for Carr for the last two weeks of the season. Soon after, multiple reports broke that Carr and the Raiders had agreed He will leave the team for the rest of the season to avoid distraction.
The news arrives with the 6-9 Raiders all eliminated from the playoffs and Carr guaranteed $33 million next season should he get injured. After nine seasons as the Raiders starting quarterback, his tenure with the team is on edge.
The news clearly had an impact in the Raiders locker room, most notably with Adams. He played All-Pro receiver with Carr at Fresno State and left the Green Bay Packers via trade last season to join his friend and college teammate in Las Vegas. Adams spoke about Carr’s demotion on Wednesday while wearing a Fresno State hoodie.
“Obviously, I don’t think anyone was excited about that here,” Adams said of Carr’s cut. “He’s one of my really close friends and the reason I came here in the first place.
“I wouldn’t be here now if he wasn’t here… I obviously support my man. We have to finish the season in the best possible way with all things considered at this point.”
the The Raiders traded first and second round picks in the 2022 project to acquire Adams from Green Bay. Then, they signed him to a five-year deal worth $141.25 million. When asked on Wednesday, Adams refused to talk about his future with the team. He also said he has spoken with Carr since the news broke and plans to do so again later on Wednesday.
tight end Darren Wallerwho made two Pro Bowl catch passes from Carr and played seven seasons as a quarterback, also made the news.
“You have to take the emotion out of it and realize that the only thing that’s productive is Jarrett’s support moving forward,” Waller said. “The guys are excited about him being able to get a chance. So we let him know we believe in him…
“Naturally it’s going to be tough. I think two things can coexist like believing in Derek…but also supporting Jarrett and going through this week and getting ready. I think two things can coexist.”
Waller’s words sum up what promises to be a rambunctious locker room over the last two weeks of the season. Carr is a beloved player and longtime Raiders captain. He also struggled this season while leading the NFL with 14 interceptions.
He slipped while playing for McDaniels, who arrived in Las Vegas as an offensive mentor. The Raiders’ first-year coach will be under intense pressure to produce next season after falling short of expectations in 2022. He and general manager Dave Ziegler can’t afford this decision to go wrong.
A disappointing regular season suddenly turned into what promises to be a dramatic and potentially chaotic season in Las Vegas.
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