Derek Carr was always better than the Raiders
After benching QB Derek Carr on Wednesday, Las Vegas excused the league's longest-tenured starting QB from the Raiders' final two games. It's just another on-brand move for "Team Dysfunction," which has stuck it to Carr for nine seasons.
The Raiders made Carr the face of the franchise, but they never really supported him.
In nine seasons, he played for six head coaches -- Dennis Allen, Tony Sparano, Jack Del Rio, Jon Gruden, Ric Bisaccia and Josh McDaniels.
During Carr's tenure, the team's defense never ranked above 20th in the league. Las Vegas' recent drafts are laughable, with one player -- Amik Robertson -- left from the 2020 class.
That's just the tip of the iceberg of unfortunate circumstances Carr's found himself in ever since he was drafted.
In May 2022, the New York Times did a deep dive on the franchise's culture in an article titled "The Disarray and 'Stone Age' Dysfunction of the Las Vegas Raiders."
The story mentioned the Raiders trotting Carr out to be the face of the organization during the Jon Gruden circus in 2021, after his homophobic and misogynistic emails became public.
"I think, more than anything, coach needs people to love him ... but at the same time what's right is right and what's wrong is wrong ... I love the man, I hate the sin," Carr said in response to Gruden's emails. (h/t Sports Illustrated)
In 2017, the team also made Carr the public face of the team after its relocation to Las Vegas from Oakland. He sent a heartfelt message to fans in Oakland when the move was finalized by the league.
Through all the distractions Carr endured, he was the consummate professional. In 2021, he expressed his love for the team and what the organization meant to him.
"I'd probably quit football if I had to play for somebody else," he said, adding, "I am a Raider for my entire life." (h/t ESPN)
In eight full seasons, Carr led Las Vegas to two postseason appearances (2014 and 2021). From 2003-2013, the team peaked with consecutive 8-8 seasons in 2010 and 2011.
Without Carr, the team turns to unproven backup Jarrett Stidham. Carr's departure won't remove the distraction, only who has to answer to it.
Longtime Raiders reporter Jerry McDonald applauded Carr for saying enough is enough.
Teammate Davante Adams, who played with Carr at Fresno State, fully supported his QB on Instagram.
Las Vegas made a horrible move by unceremoniously benching its starting QB. But the Raiders never did right by Carr. Why should they start now?
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