The Raiders are keeping Derek Carr in the garage for the remainder of the season.
The 6-9 Raiders are, somehow, still mathematically alive in the playoff race. After this weekend, though, that likely won't be the case. If the Raiders do somehow make a playoff run and win their remaining two games, then it will be without Carr under center.
Las Vegas head coach Josh McDaniels announced on Wednesday that the Raiders will star Jarrett Stidham at quarterback over the last two games of the season, keeping Carr inactive and off the field.
Head Coach Josh McDaniels addresses the QB position. pic.twitter.com/1rdhTSsNKr
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 28, 2022
"We think it's an opportunity to evaluate a younger player who hasn't had much time to play," McDaniels said on Tuesday.
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Stidham was selected in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Patriots, coincidentally, when Josh McDaniels was still on New England's staff. He was traded from the Patriots to the Raiders for a 2023 sixth-round pick earlier this year.
To that end, it's unclear exactly what evaluation left there is to be had with Stidham. He's appeared in just 11 games in his career, throwing two touchdowns to four interceptions, completing 32 of 61 passes for 342 yards. Not exactly the young-gun-in-waiting type move.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler adds a much more sensible explanation for the move: The Raiders may move on from Carr this offseason, so the option to keep his health intact in the closing stages of the season takes priority.
Sources: #Raiders have benched Derek Carr in part to preserve his health for a potential trade this offseason. Don't want to risk injury, and his market could heat up after the Super Bowl, sources say, though option to stay still on the table.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 28, 2022
The drama was exacerbated under the guise of downplaying drama later on Wednesday, as it was reported by Jeff Howe shortly after the move was made that Carr left the team to "avoid being a distraction."
After being informed of his benching, Raiders QB Derek Carr has left the team, with their permission, to avoid being a distraction over the final two weeks of the season, according to a source.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) December 28, 2022
Adding to the confusing timing is the fact that the Raiders are still mathematically alive in the AFC playoff race. While those hopes are on life support, benching your starter for a career backup is a questionable move for a head coach who has made a career of questionable moves.
But, McDaniels is known to march to the beat of his own drummer. We'll see if the latest move produces better music this time around.
