Are the Las Vegas Raiders Worth Rooting for in 2023?
The Raiders are entering their fourth season in Las Vegas and only have a 24-26 record to show for it. The team also has one of the most hated head coaches in the NFL.
Should you bother rooting for the Raiders in 2023?
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Another big issue is Jimmy Garroppollo's foot injury and whether he will be cleared to play. Now, Josh McDaniels claims to have information that makes him confident that Garroppollo will get cleared, but this is also the guy who lost to Jeff Saturday. He is the guy who blew big lead after big lead to lose countless games.
If Grappollo cannot play, the Raiders have four options: Brian Hoyer, Aidan O'Conner, Chase Gabers, or gambling in free agency. While all these things might be interesting to watch for those outside the Raiders fan bubble, it will be miserable for die-hard supporters.
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Then there's running back Joshua Jacobs, arguably one of the Raiders' best weapons. Unfortunately, they don't want to pay him what he's worth and are planning to franchise tag him. This puts him with the Raiders for one more year with a $10 million contract.
This is a blatant slap in the face after Jacobs set the rushing record last season, and it also sends the message that success isn't rewarded. Maybe if Derek Carr had a record-setting season, things would be different. Instead, the Raiders want to conserve cap space at the expense of one of their best players.
This isn't how you should treat players who perform well.
Related: 5 defining moments in the Las Vegas Golden Knights championship season
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Before we get to regular season problems, some positives about this new ensemble need to be mentioned. The first is that they have unmatched depth at the wide receiver position, which includes Davantae Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Hunter Renfrow, and Michael Mayer. This group will be fun to watch grow together and points towards a pass-focused offense.
Another high point is defensive end Tyree Wilson. Everyone is pegging this kid as an impact player, which could be the case. Experts speculate that he and Max Crosby will be a deadly combination against opposing offenses next season. Hopefully, this will also boost the defense and be a fresh start for the group.
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Source. YouTube[/caption]
The Raiders have the 2nd most difficult schedule in the NFL this year. The only team with a more difficult schedule is the New England Patriots, who start their season against the Philadelphia Eagles and then move on to the Miami Dolphins.
The Raiders' season, however, starts against the Denver Broncos and the New York Bills in back-to-back road games. The Raiders get their first home game in week three of the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Of course, some might want to look at this as an easy win, but that will be hard to predict with all the what-ifs right now.
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Source. YouTube[/caption]
That's why getting into too much more of the season is kind of useless at this point. We still don't know if Garoppollo can play or who will be his backup if he can't. Another possibility is Joshua Jacobs holding out for a better deal. That could end up being a death blow for the Raiders, given their tough schedule.
And then there are other factors like a late bye week, the state of the defense in a very competitive division, or unexpected injuries. This year will be based on what-ifs and changing situations.
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Source. YouTube[/caption]
Lastly, there's Josh McDaniels and the possibility of him being on the hot seat. McDaniels getting fired as head coach might be the one thing Raiders fans can root for this season. After his disastrous 6-11 record last year, he is going to be under a microscope every week.
The hyper-focus on him will create pressure to live up to his promises. Or he'll be forced to admit that he learned next to nothing during his time under Bill Belichick.
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Source. YouTube[/caption]
Some might see this whole take as a little bleak, but there's just too much standing in their way. A perfect example of this is that the Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs are also in their division. That alone will be a tough obstacle to climb, considering their history.
In the end, the Raiders don't have much going for them and show many signs of being in rebuilding mode. McDaniels' firing or a late playoff push might be the only real things worth rooting for this year.
Next: You won't believe what AI predicted about the future of Las Vegas sports
Should you bother rooting for the Raiders in 2023?
The Las Vegas Raiders' Quarterback situation is pretty dire
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Source. YouTube[/caption]Another big issue is Jimmy Garroppollo's foot injury and whether he will be cleared to play. Now, Josh McDaniels claims to have information that makes him confident that Garroppollo will get cleared, but this is also the guy who lost to Jeff Saturday. He is the guy who blew big lead after big lead to lose countless games.
If Grappollo cannot play, the Raiders have four options: Brian Hoyer, Aidan O'Conner, Chase Gabers, or gambling in free agency. While all these things might be interesting to watch for those outside the Raiders fan bubble, it will be miserable for die-hard supporters.
Joshua Jacobs' contract negotiations don't look good
[caption id="attachment_33784" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]Then there's running back Joshua Jacobs, arguably one of the Raiders' best weapons. Unfortunately, they don't want to pay him what he's worth and are planning to franchise tag him. This puts him with the Raiders for one more year with a $10 million contract.
This is a blatant slap in the face after Jacobs set the rushing record last season, and it also sends the message that success isn't rewarded. Maybe if Derek Carr had a record-setting season, things would be different. Instead, the Raiders want to conserve cap space at the expense of one of their best players.
This isn't how you should treat players who perform well.
Related: 5 defining moments in the Las Vegas Golden Knights championship season
There are a few positives
[caption id="attachment_33785" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]Before we get to regular season problems, some positives about this new ensemble need to be mentioned. The first is that they have unmatched depth at the wide receiver position, which includes Davantae Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Hunter Renfrow, and Michael Mayer. This group will be fun to watch grow together and points towards a pass-focused offense.
Another high point is defensive end Tyree Wilson. Everyone is pegging this kid as an impact player, which could be the case. Experts speculate that he and Max Crosby will be a deadly combination against opposing offenses next season. Hopefully, this will also boost the defense and be a fresh start for the group.
Las Vegas faces the second-most difficult season schedule
[caption id="attachment_33786" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]The Raiders have the 2nd most difficult schedule in the NFL this year. The only team with a more difficult schedule is the New England Patriots, who start their season against the Philadelphia Eagles and then move on to the Miami Dolphins.
The Raiders' season, however, starts against the Denver Broncos and the New York Bills in back-to-back road games. The Raiders get their first home game in week three of the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Of course, some might want to look at this as an easy win, but that will be hard to predict with all the what-ifs right now.
Too many factors standing in the Las Vegas Raiders' way
[caption id="attachment_33787" align="alignnone" width="900"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]That's why getting into too much more of the season is kind of useless at this point. We still don't know if Garoppollo can play or who will be his backup if he can't. Another possibility is Joshua Jacobs holding out for a better deal. That could end up being a death blow for the Raiders, given their tough schedule.
And then there are other factors like a late bye week, the state of the defense in a very competitive division, or unexpected injuries. This year will be based on what-ifs and changing situations.
Josh McDaniels could play a huge role
[caption id="attachment_32345" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]Lastly, there's Josh McDaniels and the possibility of him being on the hot seat. McDaniels getting fired as head coach might be the one thing Raiders fans can root for this season. After his disastrous 6-11 record last year, he is going to be under a microscope every week.
The hyper-focus on him will create pressure to live up to his promises. Or he'll be forced to admit that he learned next to nothing during his time under Bill Belichick.
Final thoughts on the Las Vegas Raiders' season
[caption id="attachment_33788" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]Some might see this whole take as a little bleak, but there's just too much standing in their way. A perfect example of this is that the Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs are also in their division. That alone will be a tough obstacle to climb, considering their history.
In the end, the Raiders don't have much going for them and show many signs of being in rebuilding mode. McDaniels' firing or a late playoff push might be the only real things worth rooting for this year.
Next: You won't believe what AI predicted about the future of Las Vegas sports