Wide receiver Amari Cooper is gone now, joining Khalil Mack among Raiders’ recent No. 1 picks that have been traded away. Cooper was shipped to Dallas Monday in exchange for a first-round draft choice in 2019. And, safety Karl Joseph – another No. 1 choice – is also reported to be on the trading block.
Quarterback Derek Carr, who’s struggled this season, could also eventually be traded under the new regime of head coach Jon Gruden.
Once, Carr was on the verge of joining the ranks of the NFL’s new generation of top quarterbacks. But in 2017 he slumped badly, and he’s again struggling this season for a team that is 1-5. He’s thrown eight interceptions vs. seven touchdown passes.
Now, too, there are reports that Carr – once a leader on the Raiders – may be on the outs with many of his teammates.
Marcus Thompson III of The Athletic this week described Carr’s relationship with his team as “fractured.” Thompson wrote that Carr’s reaction to an injury to his left arm suffered late in a loss to the Seahawks in London on Oct. 14 – in which he was visibly in pain, and perhaps crying – turned off many teammates.
Of course, Carr took a beating in that game, being sacked six times while taking several other hits, in a 27-3 loss, and has been sacked 17 times in six games behind an offensive line that is struggling to protect him or open holes for the running game.
Still, the way Carr reacted to his injury against the Seahawks apparently didn’t help him with his teammates, Thompson wrote.
Sports
“Raiders headquarters is not the best space for Carr,” wrote Thompson. “The belief in him has deteriorated, perhaps to irreparable levels. Team sources describe a fractured relationship between Carr and his teammates, mostly because confidence in him has waned.
“It certainly didn’t help when film (from the Seahawks game) showed what looked like him crying after being sacked and injuring his arm. They saw his face. They heard his whimper. They witnessed him explain on the sidelines. They assuredly watched it again in film session. It’s hard to see how Carr can lead this team again.”
It seemed inconceivable two years ago that the Raiders would trade Carr, but it also seemed that Oakland would never part with Mack or Cooper, either. Now, says general manager Reggie McKenzie, things are different.
“I’m not going to say anyone is untouchable,” said McKenzie Monday.
The Raiders play the Indianapolis Colts Sunday at O.co Coliseum. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m.
