Report: Raiders' Carr has 'fractured relationship' with teammates
The Oakland Raiders look like a very different team from the one many expected to see before the season began, and after trading away wide receiver Amari Cooper and star edge rusher Khalil Mack, they may now need to examine the quarterback situation.
Derek Carr could be in danger of losing the locker room, as teammates have lost confidence in his abilities as a leader, according to Marcus Thompson of The Athletic.
"Team sources describe a fractured relationship between Carr and his teammates, mostly because confidence in him has waned. It certainly didn't help when film showed what looked like him crying after being sacked and injuring his arm. They saw his face. They heard his whimper. They witnessed him explain on the sidelines. They assuredly watched it again in film session. It's hard to see how Carr can lead this team again," Thompson wrote.
Carr responded to the report and rejected the notion that he was in tears after taking a sack during an Oct. 14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, providing his account of the event.
Don’t even waste your time with this big bro. On the ground I yelled get me up get me. Then I got to the sideline and yelled again. Not one tear. Not one time. There is the Truth. People will click on it because it sounds crazy. But stop playing with me.
— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) October 23, 2018
Carr then wrote a message to his fans, imploring them to dismiss the idea that the Raiders are falling apart midseason.
I’m a Raider. It’s not a “popular” thing to be a Raider right now, but I am and I love it. I love the struggle of trying to fight back for our city when not a lot of people believe in us. People can try all they want to tear us apart, but it’s not happening to the real ones. 💀
— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) October 23, 2018
Carr signed a five-year extension worth $125 million in June 2017 but general manager Reggie McKenzie said after the Cooper deal that no player was "untouchable" in trade talks, according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic.
The Raiders are now armed with three first-round picks in next spring's draft.