Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has proven to be the true leader of this team and has now been rewarded as such. Carr’s three-year extension locks him in as the franchise’s quarterback of the present and future, and now he has some serious weapons to play with.
The Raiders added All-Pro receiver Davante Adams to pair with Pro Bowler Hunter Renfrow to form one of the league’s top receiving duos, and the team still has running back Josh Jacobs out of the backfield. But the biggest matchup nightmare on the roster could be tight end, Darren Waller.
Waller was the subject of some recent trade rumors with other teams looking to target the former Pro Bowler. But Carr took to Twitter to shoot down any possibility of a deal like that happening:
Lol no chance. https://t.co/vINVlgdSMj
— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) April 26, 2022
Carr surely understands the potential of this Raiders offense, and if he has anything to say about it, Waller won’t be going anywhere. It sounds as if the team is on the same page as well, as it has already been reported that there is ‘zero chance’ of the Raiders dealing away Waller.
Carr and Waller have developed an excellent rapport over the past couple of seasons. While Waller’s numbers were down last season due to missing games with injury, he had at least 90 catches and 1,100 yards in each of the prior two seasons.
With Adams and Renfrow on the outside, it will be even more difficult for teams to key on Waller, which opens up even more opportunities for him to dominate. Additionally, Waller is on an extremely team-friendly contract for the next two seasons, so he isn’t tying up the team’s salary cap either.
The AFC West will be the division to watch this season in the NFL, and the Raiders have a real chance to turn some heads and possibly take home a division crown with the personnel they have assembled. Rumors about moving Waller seem to be just that, rumors, and Carr speaking out immediately shows just how much he values his tight end.
