Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis isn’t much of a fan favorite these days. The decision to bring in Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler left many fans with a soured taste. Coming off a playoff appearance, the team floundered to double-digit losses. Now, with recent rumors surfacing, 2023 could end up being a disaster for Davis and his Raiders.
Moving on from Derek Carr is a major, team-altering decision. Whether you like No. 4 or not, he was able to stabilize the quarterback position for the Raiders. That was after the team was in purgatory at the position for more than a decade. However, it appears that the Raiders’ brain trust has additional plans in terms of potential changes. As most Raiders fans are aware by now, ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler had Raider Nation in a frenzy this week. He mentioned that McDaniels and Ziegler will “continue aggressively tweaking the roster.”
Fowler went on to mention Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow as potential trade targets for other teams. Now, to be clear, he doesn’t mention that the Raiders are moving them or are looking to do so. Rather, he expects teams to make inquiries. Still, it’s not a good look to know that your star players are being “looked at.” Is Mark Davis going to stand by and see his team be gutted of its playmaking stars?
The mere fact that the Raiders would move Waller and Renfrow after giving them long-term commitments is troubling. If there’s any legitimacy to a possible trade, of course. No wonder there are fans questioning this regime left and right. McDaniels had tons of success with reliable slot receivers and great tight ends in New England. With two of them in place, despite coming off injuries, why would you start over? They’re both Pro Bowl-level talents; you can’t exactly replace them with two players off the street.
McDaniels and Ziegler often talk about “culture,” but does this mean we can expect a roster teardown? As a Raiders legend recently said, the Raiders have backed themselves into a tough spot with their decision-making. 2023 could end up turning the Raiders into a laughing stock if McDaniels’ and Ziegler’s “plan” doesn’t produce results.
*Top Photo: Getty Images Pool
