The Raiders’ performance this season was outstanding for a spell. However, it seemed like they were having trouble in their recent encounters. The Raiders’ higher-ups are now searching for a way to improve the situation with Derek Carr.
For the last two weeks of the regular season, the Las Vegas Raiders are switching up the situation. Schefter reports that on Wednesday, Josh McDaniels informed the team that he had decided to bench Derek Carr in favor of the more experienced backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham.
Raiders are benching Derek Carr and turning to Jarrett Stidham as their new starting QB.
Carr has thrown a league-leading 14 interceptions— including three Saturday night during a 13-10 loss to the Steelers.
Stidham has thrown only 61 passes and never has started an NFL game. pic.twitter.com/IJa1LfYGXT
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 28, 2022
Since the Raiders QB led the NFL with 14 interceptions, including three in a humiliating defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16, the team has decided to make a change.
The Raiders, who are 6-9 this season, are taking a major gamble by giving Stidham his first NFL starting job.
The Raiders have not fared well in 2022 despite signing in wide receiver Davante Adams this summer and had a career year from running back Josh Jacobs. With Adams, Hunter Renfrow, Darren Waller, and even Mack Hollins to throw to, Carr was set up for a career year. While injuries have hampered some of their best-receiving threats, Carr still failed to produce in 2022.
Carr had a dismal 60.8 completion percentage this season, throwing for 3,522 yards, 24 touchdowns, and an NFL-worst 14 interceptions. The team has benefited from his reuniting with Davante Adams, a longtime friend, and former college partner, but not as much as they had planned. Adams’ debut season in Las Vegas has been nothing short of spectacular. He has 88 catches, 1,290 yards, and 12 touchdowns.
Derek Carr’s future is completely up in the air. The most probable scenario is that the Raiders will swallow a $5.625M dead cap charge and release the 31-year-old, despite the fact that he still has three years and $121.5M remaining on his deal.
