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Entering the 2017 season, there was much optimism around the Oakland Raiders organization following their first playoff appearance in well over a decade in 2016. However, star quarterback Derek Carr and his teammates took a significant step back, falling well short of another postseason berth while finishing 6-10. That quickly led to a head coaching change.
During an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Friday, the Pro Bowl quarterback voiced his hope that the Raiders will bounce back in a major way next season. (h/t Scott Bair of NBC Sports Bay Area)
“We know what we’re capable of,” Carr said Friday on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio with Adam Schein. “We have so much talent on our team, but talent only gets you so far. We have to come together as a team like we never have. We have to hit a reset button after the emotional highs and lows we’ve been through.
“If you think about it, the last 24 months have been a roller coaster for us. We were so high winning 12 games (in 2016), and then I break my ankle and everyone goes down. Then we come back and start 2-0 (in 2017), and then it turns into a weird season.
“We have to hit a reset button. We know what we’re capable of. We know what it takes to win now. We’ve changed the culture. Coach (Jack) Del Rio came in and helped us do that along with our leadership. Anyone we add will be welcomed to the team and told, ‘Hey, this is how we do things.' I don’t think we need to completely change things.”
It was largely a forgettable 2017 campaign for the Raiders, as various factors contributed to their lack of consistent success on the field. The team had it's fair share of struggles defensively, and Carr and star wide receiver Amari Cooper were both affected by nagging injuries throughout the year.
The Raiders figure to be active in free agency with more than $27 million in salary cap space, and that should increase with the likely departure of wide receiver Michael Crabtree. There is also some uncertainty with running back Marshawn Lynch returning next season despite him being under contract, which could lead to the team making some moves at the position.
Oakland will have to address their issues defensively in the secondary at some point this offseason, either through the 2018 NFL Draft or free agency. In spite of all that, the front office has already made it clear with the firing of Jack Del Rio and hiring of Jon Gruden that they are eyeing a strong return to the top of the league in 2018.
Of course, this will hinge on the play of Carr, who had a notable drop in production last season from his MVP-caliber performance the year prior.
Oakland has the potential to return to playoff contention for the foreseeable future, and 2018 is a vital first step back in the right direction.
