The biggest reason for the Raiders to trade for Watson is…
There is one big reason the Raiders need to trade for Watson, and it has nothing to do with either party.
It’s Patrick Mahomes.
Mahomes is one of the greatest athletes to ever play the quarterback position in the NFL. The reigning MVP is currently chasing a second consecutive Super Bowl title this weekend. Furthermore, there is no need to wax rhetoric to explain his phenomenal stats and his stratospheric status among the NFL’s elite.
The fact of the matter is this: The Raiders will have to play their division rival Mahomes twice a year for the next ten, twelve, maybe even fifteen years. Jon Gruden, as we know, is entering his fourth year of a ten-year contract. Mahomes will be as much of a problem in year ten, as he has been in the first three. If Las Vegas wants to seriously challenge the Chiefs, the best way to do it is to get the next best young quarterback in the league. You need someone who can go toe-to-toe with Mahomes, on a consistent basis, year in year out.
Carr has played well against the Chiefs. In his first game against Kansas City this season, he went 22-of-31 for 347 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception as the Raiders upset the hosts. In his second game, he was 23-of-31 for 275 yards, and an identical amount of touchdowns and interceptions.
Carr’s play in Kansas City was concerning before 2020
However, before this season, Carr had a pretty substandard record against Kansas City. In both games of the 2019 season, he threw two interceptions against the Chiefs. Meanwhile, he only had one touchdown and the Raiders sputtered to 10 and nine points in each game. Moreover, until their Week 5 upset this season, the quarterback had gone a paltry 2-10 against the Chiefs over his career.
In addition, he has a miserable total of 15 touchdowns and 13 interceptions against them. Also, his 74.6 career rating against the Chiefs was the lowest of any opponent he had faced more than twice. It might be fair to say that Carr’s improvement this season sits as an anomaly over his career when facing Kansas City. In fact, before 2020, you could argue Carr was consistently poor against the Chiefs.
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Absolutely and categorically disagree with your rationale. And many Raider fans obsession with discussion regarding Receivers, Carr, and other Offensive options to the continued detriment of the defense is old hat and bordering on ridiculous.
Carr finished in the top ten this year in almost every statistical category. How about see how he performs with a solid line not continually beleaguered by injuries. By a formidable Defense that isn’t hamstrung by a bad Coordinator who can’t/won’t adapt systems to his players, and has had a weak almost non-existent at times back end for well nigh a decade.
Continually trading proven “character” players, e.g. Joseph, Mack, Murray, etc.so we can have more discussions about Receivers and other offensive weapons, when we can’t even coach up the talent we got in house? No Sir!
Maybe he would. But that doesn’t make it a good idea. Al made plenty of bonehead moves as a GM, especially later when it seemed that the NFL had passed him by.
So let’s look at this “deal”: In exchange for a QB that is a little bit better than your current QB, you double the amount of the salary cap allocated to the QB position, trade away your top draft picks for at least the next two seasons, give this 25 year old diva veto power over key hires for your franchise, and deal with his bitching and moaning when the team doesn’t win (because it won’t). Oh, and in four years he is free to leave for the highest bidder. Doesn’t exactly sound like a recipe for success, does it?
Al made a Quarterback trade already. The Snake to Houston for Dan Pastrana ( not spelt right)
This is f****** stupid ! Our defense is the worst in the f****** league and you wanna send 2 1st rounders and a 2nd rounder ! Our defense is still gonna be f****** terrible! Wattson went 4-12 with a better defense than the raiders have . We aren’t going no where unless we bulk up that defense