Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll has made it clear he currently prefers veterans over developing rookies, so why not take a flyer on Laken Tomlinson?
It can’t get any worse at this point if you’re the Raiders. Their coaching staff, particularly offensive line guru Brennan Carroll, has failed to demonstrate that they’re adequately developing young talent. If that’s the case, perhaps adding a veteran is more to their liking.
The Houston Texans, in the midst of trying to punch a playoff ticket, decided to move on from Tomlinson. With plenty of starting experience under his belt, he’d be an instant starter for the Carroll family.
The Raiders could use some O-line reinforcements…
As it stands, the offensive line’s interior is a mess, and Tomlinson could bring some stability in these final games. If we’re being honest, you can’t do any worse than Jordan Meredith and Will Putnam as your interior anchors—what do you have to lose at this point?
Despite being 33 years of age, Tomlinson has played time at left guard, along with center. Thus, would be a nice addition to an O-line decimated by injuries. Funny enough, he was a Pro Bowler back in 2021, which he then used to cash in with the New York Jets in 2022, but the momentum didn’t carry over.
While you’d think that Tomlinson will want to join a postseason-bound squad, an NFL veteran just wants a paycheck if they’re being released at this juncture.
Maybe it’s all wishful thinking to even suggest that the Raiders are interested in addressing their issues. Just look at how the season continues to play out. Time and time again, general manager John Spytek sits on his laurels.
Even the coaching staff isn’t doing any better. Especially when a rookie such as Caleb Rogers won’t even see consistent playing time as the Carroll unit continues to talk about “competition.”
*Top Photo: Getty Images