Contracts Raiders Must Consider Cutting in 2023 Offseason
The Las Vegas Raiders are facing a very pivotal offseason. Their first year under head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler resulted in a 6-11 record, no playoff push and a lot of rebuilding ahead.
The Raiders appear poised to move on from quarterback Derek Carr, they have to fix their 28th-ranked defense, and they have impending free agents like Josh Jacobs, Mack Hollins and Rock Ya-Sin to consider.
While Las Vegas does have $18.6 million in projected cap space, Ziegler has some work to do in the offseason. This is especially true if the Raiders hope to chase a big-money quarterback like Tom Brady—a move they're reportedly considering.
"I can tell you unequivocally, this is a fact: The Raiders are looking into it. Like, the Raiders are looking into going and acquiring Tom Brady," Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer told the Dan Patrick Show. "...This is something that the Raiders are doing their research on. Same goes for Jimmy Garoppolo."
It would behoove the Raiders to clear some cap space before free agency kicks off on March 15. With this in mind, let's examine three players the Raiders must at least consider cutting in 2023.
CB Amik Robertson
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Cornerback Amik Robertson showed some flashes in 2022, snagging two interceptions and scoring on a 68-yard fumble-return touchdown in 17 appearances with seven starts.
However, Robertson wasn't steady in coverage and played a role in Las Vegas' woeful pass defense. The Raiders ranked 27th in yards per pass attempt allowed (7.0), while Robertson allowed an opposing passer rating of 96.2 in coverage.
Robertson was even more of a liability the previous season, allowing an opposing passer rating of 135.4.
The reality is that while Robertson has made a few splash plays, he shouldn't be viewed as a building block in the secondary. His 2023 cap hit of $1.3 million isn't huge, but the Raiders could save a full $1 million in space by letting him go.
Ya-Sin and perhaps Tre'von Moehrig aside, Las Vegas should largely look to blow up and reload its secondary this offseason. Robertson should be part of the turnover.
RB Brandon Bolden
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Re-singing Jacobs—who made his second career Pro Bowl this season—should be a priority for the Raiders. Retaining backup Brandon Bolden should be less of one.
Bolden, who McDaniels knew from their time with the New England Patriots, was a sensible addition for 2022. He knew McDaniels' offense, he's a capable runner and he has special-teas value.
However, Bolden simply didn't see the field often with Jacobs taking over the bell-cow role.
Bolden played just eight percent of the offensive snaps in 2022 and 60 percent of the special-team snaps. Now that McDaniels has installed his offense, there's little reason to keep Bolden in the fold.
Las Vegas should have little trouble finding a special-team contributor on the open market, during the draft or in rookie free agency.
Cutting Bolden would save $2.2 million off the 2023 cap, which is a substantial amount given the minor role that he fills.
QB Derek Carr
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Carr is the most obvious cut candidate on the Raiders' roster because Las Vegas is effectively done with him. That was clear when Carr was benched for the final two games of the regular season, and it's even more obvious now.
According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, the Raiders began "the process" of evaluating Carr's trade market earlier this month. The problem is that Carr's contract carries a no-trade clause.
This means that Las Vegas must at least consider cutting Carr outright, and it must do so sooner than later. His base salary hit of $32.9 million in 2023 will become guaranteed on February 15—along with $7.5 million of his 2024 salary.
If Carr isn't traded before the February 15 deadline, the Raiders will be stuck with a huge chunk of guaranteed salary. That's money they'd have to eat whether or not the quarterback is eventually moved.
If Las Vegas cuts Carr before then, they can save $29.3 million off the 2023 cap.
While the Raiders would love to get something in return for Carr in a trade, he has little reason to cooperate. Therefore, the prospect of simply releasing the 31-year-old is something Las Vegas cannot dismiss.
*Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference. Cap, contract and market information via Spotrac.
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