The general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders spoke to the team’s digital media about Derek Carr, who has been off the bench for the final two games of the 2022 NFL season.
He understood that “the quarterback is the most important position on the team,” but said it was a “difficult decision” to bench Kerr.
“There’s an emotion involved,” says Ziegler. “But in this business, we had to make some tough decisions. Two games, two games meant we were going to keep the record at the time and see two young quarterbacks in Jarrett (Stidham) and Chase (Gerbers). Take the opportunity and take the opportunity to let them step up, take responsibility and step up in terms of team leadership.”
Prior to the San Francisco 49ers game, the Raiders informed Kerr that he would not play in the final two games. He was listed as inactive for games against the 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs.
A $33 million deal and $7.5 million is guaranteed if Kerr is injured in the final two games. The Raiders have until February 15th to make a decision to keep Kerr before the deal is guaranteed.
Kerr started 92 straight games, including last season’s AFC wild-card game against the Cincinnati Bengals. In his nine seasons with the Raiders, Kerr started 142 of a possible 144 regular-season games.
“Seeing everyone’s true appreciation in that room is invaluable to us,” Ziegler said. “The most important position in football is to understand exactly what we have going forward, to question what we have and to make some decisions about how to solidify the room moving forward. was an opportunity for us to do that.”
