Raiders looking to rebuild
Previously in the 2016-17 season, the Oakland Raiders were on top of the world and it appeared they were Super Bowl bound. That all ended in the 4th quarter of one of the last games of the regular season when Derek Carr was tackled and injured. Late in the fourth quarter, Carr was sacked by Indianapolis Colts linebacker Trent Cole causing a break to his fibula. This meant his promising season was over. Since that point, the Raiders have not been able to recapture that magic. Now seven weeks into the 2018-19 season, the Raiders look as if they are in full rebuild mode.
New coach :
Looking to improve off a disappointing 2017-18 campaign, the Oakland Raiders signed former coach Jon Gruden to a ten year deal worth a reported $100 million, where he will be making roughly ten million dollars a year. This deal makes him the second highest paid coach in the NFL. The only person making more than Gruden is the one and only Bill Belichick who is making around $12.5 million a year. Coming into this season the Raiders were thought to be a playoff contender. Instead, their record currently stands at 1-5, and looks as if they are going to miss the playoffs for a second consecutive year.
Trades:
- On September first, the Raiders traded 3 time pro bowler, former defensive player of the year, and arguably the most dominant defensive player in the NFL, Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears. The Bears also received 2020 second round and fifth round picks. In turn, the Raiders received a 2019 first and sixth round pick, and a 2020 first and third round pick.
- On October 22, the Raiders traded two time pro bowler, and No. 1 receiver on their depth chart, Amari Cooper to the Dallas Cowboys. In return for the young receiver, the Raiders received the Cowboys 2019 first round pick.
- Along with these trades and the acquisition of multiple picks for the upcoming draft there has been some speculation in regards to the probability that the raiders will trade their starting quarterback Derek Carr. These rumors have since been refuted by head coach Gruden.
After making these trade the Raiders now hold five first round draft picks in the next two years. They also hold a multitude of picks in later rounds. With this stock pile of picks they are looking to rebuild their franchise into a playoff contender and eventually into a super bowl contender. Whether Derek Carr or Jon Gruden will be a part of the team when that happens is yet to be seen.
What do you think? Should the Raiders have traded away Mack and Cooper? Should the Raiders Trade Carr? Should the Raiders part ways with Gruden? Did the Raiders make the right choice to rebuild?
simplysports.game.blog 
It sounds like without Trent Cole the team was forced to do some rebuilding. I think if one team is so dependent on a single player that their playoff prospects come toppling down without them, then rebuilding is probably going to pay off more in the long run.
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Your post was extremely comprehensive and gave great insight into the world of the Raiders!
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I think it is fascinating how fast the conversation around Oakland changed. Gruden probably has a few more years before he starts to feel any real pressure, but Derek Carr may not be so lucky. It will also be interesting to see the player-coach relationship over the next few years, since even the best players have been traded.
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