One of the bigger stories in Oakland, other than the A’s taking Kyler Murray in the first round this past offseason, is that the Raiders sign Jon Gruden to a ten year $100 million contract all guaranteed. Let me give you a few names of people who are in that same realm of money in the sports world.
- Aaron Rodgers- $134 million, $99.7 million guaranteed.
- Jimmy “G” Garoppolo- $137.5 million making $42.6 million a season with a $35 million roster and signing bonus.
- Khalil Mack which we will talk more about in a moment- $141 million making $41 million a year
- Aaron Donald- $135 million, $86.89 guaranteed, making $40.89 million a year
With those four names and we haven’t even gotten to Steph Curry or LeBron James. Also, the only person making close to $100 million in guarantees is Aaron Rodgers. Now getting past that, from what I’ve been hearing is that quarterback Derek Carr, and defensive back Gareon Conley are untouchable basically. The big news for the team started when Khalil Mack was traded. In this trade the Bears would get Khalil mack, a 2020 2nd round pick, and a 2020 5th round pick. The Raiders would get two 2020 1st round picks, a 3rd and a 5th round pick.
So, most people would think the Raiders won the trade because the Bears overpaid for Mack. But we have to wait two years to see if it paid off, and Mack is making a huge impact on the Bears right now.
The next big trade is the Amari Cooper trade, in which the Raiders sent Amari Cooper to the Cowboys for a 2019 first round pick. So, how I see it at this point in the season, they might just be trying to stockpile first round picks. I’m never a guy who would suggest tanking because I never think that anyone should try to go and lose on purpose. What I will say is they should just sit Derek Carr for the rest of the season because I don’t see them making the playoffs this year. If I can be totally honest Carr hasn’t performed the way that most of us expected him to, and that raises a few questions. Is he not the guy we all thought he is? Is it even the same system now that Gruden is there, and if it is then maybe Derek isn’t the right fit? If it is the same system, then maybe he needs more weapons around him? Either way, the Raiders will have to wait a year or two for them and for us to see if their decisions come to fruition.
