Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels has explained his decision to bench nine-year quarterback Derek Carr in favor of Jarrett Stidham.
McDaniels sent shockwaves through the league on Wednesday when he announced Carr will be inactive for the remaining games of the 2022/23 regular season.
“We’re going to go ahead and start Jarrett [Stidham] the last couple games of the season here,” the Raiders HC told reporters. “You know, none of us is happy with where we’re at. But we think it’s an opportunity to evaluate a younger player who hasn’t had much time to play.”
Carr’s Numbers This Season Beckon Concern
McDaniels insisted that Carr is fine with the decision. The veteran QB has struggled to adapt in his first year playing under the 46-year-old coach, who was appointed by the Raiders in January this year.
Derek is not the only one who has found it difficult to play for the new coach but his failures this season are pretty glaring. The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback has posted some of the worst numbers since his rookie season, completing just 60.8 percent of his passing while throwing for 3,522 yards, 24 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 15 games.
“Talking to Derek, who was great, he understands the scenario that we’re in, the situation, and [is] very supportive of the two young guys,” McDaniels added. “He’ll do anything he can to help them. So, that’s what we’re going to do.”
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It’s been rumored that the Raiders are planning to trade Carr during the offseason, which is one of the reasons they have decided to bench him for the remainder of the campaign. They are also understood to be of the view that his value could go up after the upcoming Super Bowl and are taking the opportunity to assess third-year man Stidham.
