The Las Vegas Raiders have some tough decisions to make as they fall below the .500 mark for the season after a loss to the lowly Chicago Bears. The Bears were lacking Justin Fields, and instead had to start Tyson Bagent, an undrafted rookie and former D2 quarterback. This is not to take anything away from Begant, but Las Vegas really ought to win that game, with or without Jimmy Garoppolo at the helm.
Yes, Vegas was shorthanded, and that is sure to be Josh McDaniels argument when he speaks to the media. Garoppolo is expected to be back for the Raiders next game on Monday Night Football after suffering a back injury in Week 6.
Still Garoppolo is not the long-term answer at quarterback, meaning Vegas should consider all of their options moving forward. Could they consider planning for next season, and perhaps embrace the tank for Caleb Williams?
Raiders should fire Josh McDaniels to tank for Caleb Williams
Josh McDaniels is coaching for his job. He is not going to embrace coaching with a less-talented team in what could be his final chance with the Raiders. If Vegas were to fire McDaniels midseason, it would be welcomed by a fanbase that is tired of mediocrity and questionable decision making.
McDaniels has always been a solid offensive coordinator. This is a job he can thrive at. Yet, the minute McDaniels is asked to take any more of a role, he falters, whether it be in Vegas or Denver. Just three weeks ago, owner Mark Davis got in a shouting match with some Raiders fans at a home game. Said fans wanted Davis to fire McDaniels, but the fiery owner told them to "smarten up."
Hopefully after a loss to the Bears without Fields in tow, he'll be more willing to listen.
Raiders should trade Hunter Renfrow
Hunter Renfrow had been one of the best slot receivers in the NFL, but he's taken a step back since McDaniels was hired. The signing of Jimmy Garoppolo gave fans hope they would see the Renfrow of old -- a reliable slot target who could take the pressure off the quarterback -- but he has yet to make much of an impact in 2023. Despite trade rumors surrounding the Clemson product, Renfrow has maintained a good mentality.
"Those rumors have been going on since last year, right?" Renfrow said, per The Athletic. "So, I knew this offseason, let's control things you can control, and let's be a great teammate. And if I do that, then the rest will take care of itself. I'll look back at this time and say — whether I was traded or I wasn't — it didn't matter because I was being a great teammate and I was trying to make the most of my opportunity."
All Renfrow can do is control his play on the field. The Raiders offense, now without Garoppolo until at least next week, is not utilizing Renfrow's potential. That much is clear, and Vegas should trade him for draft capital while they have the chance.
Raiders need to trade Davante Adams
Davante Adams is one of the best wide receivers in football, but he's been wasted in Vegas. Adams no longer has Aaron Rodgers throwing him the football, but it hasn't mattered. Whether it be Derek Carr, Garoppolo or even Brian Hoyer on Sunday, Adams has proven himself.
Adams made it clear this week he wasn't happy with his lack of targets against the New England Patriots in Week 6.
"I'm a human being and I have extremely high standards for myself in this offense," said Adams. "I'm sure people are thinking, 'They won the game, why is there an issue?' I mean, you see why it's an issue. Y'all should know who I am, know what I'm about at this point ... when you're a player like me, mentally, my benchmark is not wins and losses -- it's greatness. So when I go out there, I expect to be able to have that ability to put that on tape and have an influence on the game. That's my purpose for being here. I'm not here just to hang out; I came here to win and to do it the right way."
That all changed with Hoyer under center, as Adams had an impressive statistical day despite the loss. Adams should be able to secure a first-round pick or more at the deadline from a team in desperate need of wide receiver help.
