Raiders send confusing message to fans by standing pat at trade deadline
The Las Vegas Raiders say they are trying to win now, but by standing pat at the trade deadline, that’s not the message they are sending to fans.
The last-place Raiders made no moves at the trade deadline, a surprise considering they have major holes on the offensive line and on defense.
The lack of transactions wasn’t because deals were hard to come by. The day was a record-breaker for trades.
The team’s offense (23.2 ppg) ranks among the top half in the NFL, perhaps an excuse for Las Vegas to not address the O-line issues. But it’s mind-boggling the team didn’t add to a defense that ranks near the bottom in points allowed (24.9 ppg).
The organization preaches patience.
“I believe we haven’t reached our best football yet, and it’s going to take work and progress and improvement in order to do that,” said first-year head coach Josh McDaniels during Monday’s presser, “Nobody’s been eliminated… Our goals are still out there.”
The Raiders have only a 14 percent chance of making the playoffs, per the New York Times Playoff Picture. The Raiders’ goals are slipping out of reach.
Las Vegas hasn’t made a major trade since March when it dealt for All-Pro wideout Davante Adams from Green Bay. Perhaps Adams’ poor showing (38 catches, 512 yards receiving) has discouraged the team from adding another star to a defense.
Las Vegas will play at Jacksonville on Sunday. A loss could close the door on the Raiders’ playoff chances and will make their complacency at the deadline even harder to understand.