Safety Karl Joseph remains a Raider. Also staying in Oakland is cornerback Gareon Conley, cornerback Rashaan Melvin, defensive end Bruce Irvin and quarterback Derek Carr.
The NFL’s trade deadline came and went Tuesday, with the Raiders standing pat. There had been reports over the past two weeks that Jon Gruden and Reggie McKenzie might make a flurry of trades in a now-under way tear-down of the roster, but the only deal came early last week when wide receiver Amari Cooper was dealt to the Dallas Cowboys for a first-round draft choice. That, of course, followed the shocking trade of defensive end Khalil Mack – the team’s best player – to the Bears a week before the season began.
Two years after going 12-4 and earning a trip to the playoffs, the Raiders are 1-6. The offense is inconsistent. The defense ranks last in the NFL.
Gruden, in the first year of a 10-year deal as head coach, says he and the franchise are trying to regroup and rebuild. Though no trades were made on the deadline day, Gruden certainly will make many moves in the offseason.
“I just hope the Raiders fans out there understand we’re doing everything we can,” Gruden said after the Raiders gave up a lead and lost to the Colts this past Sunday. “I know it gets ugly at times, but in a lot of ways I’m excited about the future.”
Carr, who has had a difficult season, said the approaching trade deadline was on the minds of a lot of players the past two weeks. He’s glad it’s past now and that he remains a Raider and can continue to look forward to being with the team.
“You want to make sure that you’re around, what’s the plan, all those things,” Carr told the San Francisco Chronicle. “I think that was on a lot of guys’ minds. Just to know that’s almost over with and all those things, and we’re just playing ball. I think that’s nice for our guys.”
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One Raider did leave the team Tuesday, however, with cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie announcing his retirement. Rodgers-Cromartie, 32, signed with the Raiders in late August and appeared in seven games.
The Raiders will play the 1-7 San Francisco 49ers Thursday night at Levi’s Stadium. Kickoff is set for 5:20 p.m.
