Davante Adams speaks on Raiders decision to bench Derek Carr

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams spoke about the team’s decision to bench quarterback Derek Carr for the remainder of the season.

The Las Vegas Raiders have garnered the attention of the entire NFL world on Wednesday for their decision to bench starting quarterback Derek Carr for the remainder of the season. Jarrett Stidham, former New England Patriots quarterback, will start in his place in the team’s next two games against the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs. With this news, questions about Carr’s future with the team has only increased, especially with a looming contract decision days after Super Bowl 57.

With the team possibly moving on from Carr, fans were probably curious what star wide receiver Davante Adams’ thought of the move. After all, Adams was Carr’s teammate during their college playing days at Fresno State, and his presence did play a role in him wanting a trade to the Raiders from the Green Bay Packers.

Hours after the team’s announcement, Adams spoke to the media in the locker room, where he expressed his support for Carr. The video comes courtesy of Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Davante Adams speaks on Derek Carr’s benching for remainder of 2022 season

“I’m not going to sit here and go on and on, but obviously I support my guy,” said Adams. “We’ve got to finish this season out the best way we can possible with all things considered at this point. Anything else that you guys got, you can leave that for coach or Derek.”

Adams did mention, via Mark Anderson of the Associated Press, that Carr’s presence did play a role in him orchestrating a trade from Green Bay to Las Vegas.

“I don’t think anybody was excited about it in here,” Adams said, h/t Associated Press. “I wouldn’t be here right now if he wasn’t here. I think everybody knows how I feel about him. … Obviously, I support my guy.”

Adams was asked about whether Carr’s benching will have an effect on his future with the Raiders, but he declined to comment, saying “we’ve got two games left.”

Following the trade, Adams signed a five-year, $140 million contract extension with the Raiders. Through 15 games this season, Adams recorded 88 receptions for 1,290 yards and 12 touchdowns (league-high) on 160 targets.

Carr did sign a three-year, $121.5 million contract extension with the Raiders earlier this year, but it can be characterized as a team friendly deal. If they are to part ways with Carr before Feb. 15, he won’t be fully guaranteed approximately $33 million for the 2023 season, and they will be assessed just a $5.6 million cap hit.

The reason for the benching is not just because they are 6-9 on the season. It is also, per ESPN senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler, a way to avoid an injury in the final two games and to maintain his trade value this offseason.

Carr has received permission to be away from the team for the final two games of the 2022 regular season to “avoid the obvious distractions,” per NFL Network national NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

For the final two games remaining on the schedule, Adams will be catching passes from Stidham while Carr is away from the team.