“Best for business.” That was a kayfabe line uttered constantly on WWE TV during “The Authority” storyline with Daniel Bryan (Bryan Danielson). Yet the mantra is best practice for any business, such as the NFL. If it isn’t clear already — and it hasn’t been because there are folks out there that believe there’s a chance for a reunion — the Las Vegas Raiders and quarterback Derek Carr have broken up. The line in the sand has been drawn. There’s no going back, no reconciliation. There is no cathartic moment to be had.
The league has its high points and glorious moments, but it also has its low points and cruel business. “It’s just business, nothing personal,” is often uttered by team personnel and decision-makers. The NFL acronym does have another meaning too, you know: Not. For. Long.
Thursday’s Pro Bowl festivities were a stark reminder of that.
The Raiders or Derek Carr: Who’s the villain?
The Raiders have been painted as villains. Carr is the hero. (Or vice versa, depending on which side of the fence you’re standing.)
I myself would counsel (like wiseman Paul Heyman does with Roman Reigns) Davis to seize the moment and go full heel. Make the Mr. Davis personality (Ã la Mr. McMahon) a reality and bust out a “Derek Carr screwed Derek Carr” line much like Vince McMahon did with Bret Hart. You’re a villain to many, so why not capitalize, Davis?
But I digress.
Like jaded ex-lovers, the pair found themselves in an uncomfortable situation as the Pro Bowl is at Allegiant Stadium, the Raiders’ home.
Carr marched onto the field in generic NFL gear. Just a red hoodie and a red hat with nothing but the NFL logo on them. His teammates — Maxx Crosby, Josh Jacobs, Davante Adams, and AJ Cole — had the Raiders shield emblazoned on their outfits. Carr, with no surprise, lit up the precision passing event. But the sharpest toss the good-natured quarterback delivered was an immortal sound-bite zinger: “Not that hot. That’s probably why I’m going somewhere else.”
A good barb and a good joke right at the Raiders. Bravo!
But quick-strike jabs like that can come out of nowhere. Such as:
Just sayin https://t.co/WoJ1rRHC02 pic.twitter.com/EWvIDGs1ya
— Mic Tyson (@bigcory00) February 3, 2023
What happens now?
There’s no getting back together here, folks. For the holdouts hoping for Carr to sport No. 4 in Silver and Black, no dice. Like a degenerate gambler at the blackjack table, “hit” was called once too many times, and it went bust.
Now, the Raiders and Carr embark on what’s best for business. Las Vegas with a new quarterback and Carr with a new team. Things run their course, folks. Everything must come to an end.
But with everything in life, the best intentions don’t always lead to the best results. Time will tell if the breakup is the catalyst for something better for both the Silver and Black, and Carr.
The deadline for a decision on Carr’s NFL future is Feb. 15—three days after the Super Bowl. That’s when things will begin anew for the quarterback and the franchise.
Best case scenario for both: success is found. Or one party finds success while the other flounders or both drown in misery.
But misery does love company.
*Top Photo: Around The NFL