Raiders teammates have mixed reactions to Derek Carr’s benching

By Case Keefer (contact)

Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022 | 2 a.m.

Most of the players in the Raiders’ locker room after Wednesday’s practice hadn’t spoken to Derek Carr since coach Josh McDaniels informed them of his decision to bench the veteran quarterback earlier in the morning. Davante Adams was the exception.

The star receiver who came to the Raiders this offseason largely to reunite with Carr, his college teammate at Fresno State, didn’t share any insight into the conversation but his subdued tone and dour facial expressions were telling. It sure seemed like Adams would have preferred Carr staying behind center for the team’s final two games — against the San Francisco 49ers this week and the Kansas City Chiefs in two weeks — to backup Jarrett Stidham taking over.

“I don’t think anybody was excited about it in here,” Adams said while sitting in front of a horde of cameras and recorders at his locker stall. “Him being one of my really good friends and the reason I came here in the first place, I wouldn’t be here right now if he wasn’t here, so I think everybody knows how I feel about him.”

Carr was never seen at the Raiders’ Henderson headquarters on Wednesday, including during a portion of practice open to media, with an NFL Network report indicating he would “step away” from the team for the rest of the season. That somewhat conflicts with an assertion made by McDaniels in his news conference that Carr would “do anything he can to help” going forward.

McDaniels also said there was “no finality” to the decision and wouldn’t rule out Carr returning to the franchise for a 10^th season next year. But that also makes little sense considering a big reason benching Carr is practical would be to prevent an injury that could guarantee his $32.9 million salary next season.

Las Vegas can now either release Carr with minimal penalty after the Super Bowl or, in perhaps a more likely scenario, opt in to the final three years of a contract he signed this offseason and trade him. Either way, Wednesday’s news appeared to signal the end of the AFC’s longest-tenured starting quarterback — and Carr’s teammates knew it.

“He won a lot of games for us,” slot receiver Hunter Renfrow said. “Even down the stretch here, he’s a reason we won a lot of them, and I think he’s an amazing leader. I hope to play with him again some time.”

Aside from Adams, Renfrow might be the closest person on the team to Carr as the two have developed a strong bond over the last four years. Similarly to Adams, Renfrow took the news hard.

“It was kind of shocking because we still have a chance, so that’s disappointing but I don’t get paid to make those decisions,” Renfrow said.

Las Vegas (6-9) isn’t technically eliminated from playoff contention, but their chances fall below 1% by the estimates of numerous statistical models. The Raiders would only be a game out of the postseason if they hadn’t blown a lead at the Steelers last week but Carr’s three interceptions were mostly to blame for the latest collapse in a season full of them.

The nine-year veteran now leads the NFL in interceptions with 14 and has posted one of his worst seasons statistically, but Wednesday’s reaction showed most of his teammates haven’t turned on him.

“I’ve only been here a short amount of time but Derek has made a big impact on me,” receiver and team captain Mack Hollins said. “He’s a great guy, a great player and obviously has been for this organization for a long time. He’s someone who’s probably had more coaches and GMs than any other quarterback in the league. Whenever I’ve thought of the Raiders, I thought Derek Carr.”

If the announcement marks the end of Carr’s tenure with the Raiders, he will depart holding virtually all of the franchise’s passing records including 35,222 passing yards, 217 passing touchdowns and a 64.6% completion rate.

“You understand and respect what Derek has done over the last 10 years,” tight end Darren Waller said. “That will always be respected and appreciated by guys around here. Everyone who’s ever played here has been a fan here, but I think it’s fair to support Jarrett in this time and prepare for the challenge we have Sunday.”

Waller was more measured than most of the other players who spoke on Carr. His response has reignited speculation that a rift in their relationship developed when Carr appeared to call out Waller for a hamstring injury that put him on injured reserve earlier in the season.

Unlike most of his teammates, Waller kept his normal demeanor during his time speaking to the media on Wednesday.

“Obviously I support my guy,” Adams said on Carr. “We’ve got to finish the season the best way we can possible with all things considered at this point.”

Asked about his own future with the franchise, Adams wouldn’t comment beyond this season’s final two games. Adams’ cooler head will likely prevail and his current anger will fade with two years and nearly $45 million left guaranteed on the contract he signed this offseason.

The other biggest star of the Raiders’ offense this season, running back Josh Jacobs, stated more definitively that he wanted to return next season on Wednesday despite the fact that he’s set to enter unrestricted free agency. Jacobs was less resolute when asked about Carr, saying he figured out the switch when the longtime quarterback wasn’t in the team meeting Wednesday morning before McDaniels spoke.

He called the situation “different,” which is also a descriptor for how the Raiders will look next season. Major changes are on the way all across the roster but none will be bigger than playing without Carr, who hasn’t previously missed a start for any reason other than injury.

“It’s tough but that’s unfortunately how this business goes,” Hollins said. “I’m quite a few pay grades away from that decision or even being in the room where that decision happens.”

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or