TC Martin

Raiders With Plenty of Uncertainty ​​

The Las Vegas Raiders are off to an inconsistent start.  They are 2-3 with an improbable win and three ugly losses.  The ups and downs of this team can be seen on the field and off. 

​

As if head coach Antonio Pierce has enough to worry about, he has to deal with his best offensive player wanting to be traded. 

​

It's no secret Davante Adams isn't happy and hasn't been since the departure of his close friend and former college and NFL quarterback, Derek Carr.  

​

After numerous denials about wanting to leave the Raiders, Adams is still quiet, but head coach Antonio Pierce isn't.  Frustration boiling over after the loss to the Panthers, Pierce said, "Some players made business decisions and now we will make ours."  He later apologized for that statement, but the translation was clear.  If a player doesn't want to be here the Raiders will oblige. 

​

It would be a tough pill to swallow for the team and its fans, but the bottom line is, it should not come as much of a surprise.  Adams didn't sign up for this.  He signed up to play with Carr for a team he believed was heading in the right direction.  The regime of head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler were dismissed in less than two seasons on the job.  They sought out Adams.  The regime wasn't in on Carr so he was cut. 

​

This left Adams wondering why he left Green Bay in the comfort of a team that is a perennial playoff and Super Bowl contender.  Adams time in Las Vegas hasn't been a memorable one for anyone.  Even though he doesn't come across as a diva, he clearly isn't happy and now the talk is stronger than ever that his time as a Raider is nearing an end. 

​

It's unfortunate and strange that a high-profile player like Adams would be traded this early in the season.  Now the question is, where does he go and what will the Raiders receive in return?  ​

Adams request is to be reunited with either of his two favorite quarterbacks, Carr or Aaron Rodgers.  Both would welcome him with open arms as would the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets, their employers.  Both could be a legitimate playoff contender with Adams.  

​

The problem is that neither one especially Rodgers figures to be playing in the NFL much longer. Rodgers is 40 years old while Carr is 33.  Neither has produced much in the past few seasons.  Both of those teams want to win now so they make the move.  The question is, will the Raiders give Adams what he wants or will they do what is best for their organization. 

​

There are several suitors out there, but the clock is ticking to see how the Raiders play this one out.  In any case, it's just more instability for a team that continues to be in flux year after year.