To say it’s been a tough year for Derek Carr and the Las Vegas Raiders is an understatement. Last year the Raiders were a feel-good story with all that they overcame. The Raiders released Henry Ruggs after a vehicular homicide arrest along with Damon Arnette after he made online death threats while brandishing a firearm and fired head coach Jon Gruden after his prejudice-filled emails leaked. This Raiders team had every reason to fold, but against all odds, the Raiders finished the season 10-6 with a playoff birth with an interim head coach. The season ended Super Wildcard Weekend, but the future looked bright.
Last offseason, the Raiders made a blockbuster trade for Davante Adams and signed Josh McDaniels as their next head coach. The pairing of Adams, Hunter Renfrow, Darren Waller, McDaniels, and Derek Carr was supposed to launch the Raiders into serious playoff contention. Nine games into the 2022 season, however, the Raiders sit at 2-7 at the bottom of the AFC West. Their main core hasn’t been able to remain on the field together due to injuries, and the season’s been a complete disappointment. Only eight games remain on their schedule, and head coach Josh McDaniels may be on the hot seat.
The Raiders last year had a key player arrested for vehicular homicide & a coach fired for racist screeds and still found a way to make the playoffs.
They added Devante Adams this offseason.
They’re about to lose to the Colts & drop to 2-7.
Josh McDaniels has been abysmal.
— nick wright (@getnickwright) November 13, 2022
After their loss to the Colts, head coached by someone who’s never coached higher than high school football, Derek Carr took to the podium and wore his heart on his sleeve.
#Raiders QB Derek Carr got really emotional in his postgame press conference talking about how tough this season has been. pic.twitter.com/QxpX8HyOjW
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 14, 2022
Athletes are People too
Derek Carr shouldn’t have to apologize for being emotional. Football is a physically and emotionally taxing sport that takes an incredible amount of mental toughness. Players put their bodies through an incredible amount of trauma every week with the goal of winning. So when a team like the Raiders continues to lose despite the work their players put into practice, or, as Derek Carr said, to even make it to practice, it’s heartbreaking. The average NFL career hovers around 3-4 years, which means most players have a short window to make money, win games, and win championships.
The Raiders, in recent years, haven’t enjoyed much success. They’ve consistently finished near the bottom of the AFC West, with a spurt here and there of competing for first place. This season, the Raiders will likely end the season in third or last place and may see their head coach fired after one year. Derek Carr’s emotions are raw, demonstrate what type of leader he is, and send a resounding message. This team had very high expectations entering the year and has woefully underachieved.
It’s easy to rag on players for their poor play or the team’s record, and the players expect it. However, it can be easy to forget that underneath the jersey or helmet is a person. And just like you, me, or the athlete, they have feelings. Coming up short or outright failure is never a feeling that feels good. I commend Derek Carr for his raw authenticity and hope people see this as a sign of strength rather than weakness.
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