Now Is the Time for Raiders to Rebuild Following Russell Wilson Trade
By Ben Heisler
New rule. Whatever team comes out of the AFC West gets an immediate bye into the AFC Championship game.
With star quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City, Justin Herbert in Los Angeles, and Derek Carr in Las Vegas, the road to secure a division title was already daunting enough.
Now, the division race has gotten even tougher, as the Denver Broncos pulled off a monster trade for 9-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawaks.
Blockbuster: After weeks of negotiations, in one of the largest trades in NFL history, the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos have agreed to terms for a deal involving Super-Bowl winning QB Russell Wilson, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2022
Trade is pending a physical and Wilson’s approval. pic.twitter.com/oRFDV8Ehyx
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports that the deal will cost the Broncos multiple draft picks, as well as several other players to be moved, one of which is quarterback Drew Lock, who will likely compete for a starting role in the NFC West.
The #Broncos informed QB Drew Lock he's been traded to Seattle as part of the Russell Wilson deal, per sources. https://t.co/GG3aZn8GD4
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 8, 2022
What are the Updated Odds to Win the AFC West?
WynnBET Sportsbook has updated their list of NFL Super Bowl futures following the news of Wilson to Denver. Odds to win the AFC West have not been made available as of yet this offseason.
- Kansas City Chiefs +900
- Denver Broncos +1200
- Los Angeles Chargers +2500
- Las Vegas Raiders +6000
Now is the Perfect Time for the Raiders to Hit the Reset Button
It might be time for the Raiders to look themselves in the mirror.
Every team in the AFC West is in win-now mode, and with only one division winner, and perhaps at the most, three teams making the playoffs, not every squad is in the best position to contend.
With new General Manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels now on board, this is the perfect opportunity for Las Vegas to burn it down, and rebuild the roster to contend for years down the road as the rest of the division cannibalizes each other.
The Raiders finished 10-7 a season ago, but were by no means a dominant team. Their late-season rally under interim head coach Rich Bisaccia was commendable, but this was still an organization that finished in the bottom half of the league in points scored, and bottom six in points against. They entered the 2021 season 16th in the league in average oldest age of their roster, not a good sign for a team projected to finish in dead-last in the division.
Derek Carr had a very solid season, finishing fifth in the league in passing yards, but only 13th in touchdown passes. While still a very valuable quarterback is simply not in the same tier as the other three in the division. However, with a weak free agent and draft class at the position, teams may be offering terrific capital to bring him on board in a weaker division. If Mitchell Trubisky is expected to earn top dollar on the free agent market, imagine how much better a team would look with the experienced Carr leading the way instead.
The Raiders exceeded expectations a season ago, but with a far more challenging and daunting task ahead, it's time to think differently about what's ahead.
"Just win (in the future) baby..."