Las Vegas Raiders rolling the dice on new-look passing game

The Las Vegas Raiders cut ties with quarterback Derek Carr this offseason. It’s one of numerous changes to Josh McDaniels’ passing attack.

It was a rough year for a team that was a playoff participant the previous season. Josh McDaniels’ first season as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders began with three losses, ended with three straight setbacks, and finished with a 6-11 mark.

Quarterback Derek Carr started the club’s first 15 games. He hit on 60.8 percent of his throws for 3,522 yards and 24 scores. He was also picked off 14 times, three of those interceptions in a prime-time loss at Pittsburgh. That was his last appearance for the team and this offseason, he was released and latched on with one-time Raiders’ head coach Dennis Allen and the New Orleans Saints.

Carr isn’t the only key piece of the Las Vegas offense that is elsewhere these days. In terms of tight ends, Darren Waller was dealt to the New York Giants earlier this month, while Foster Moreau’s football future is a question mark as he deals with cancer. Mack Hollins finished a distant second on the team in 2022 (behind All-Pro Davante Adams) in receptions (57), receiving yards (690), and touchdown grabs (4). However, he’s now a member of the Atlanta Falcons.

Jimmy Garoppolo is the team’s new starting quarterback. He has the luxury of having the NFL’s leading rusher at his disposal in Josh Jacobs. The nine-year pro is more than familiar with McDaniels’ system due to their days in New England.

So is wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, who caught 67 passes this past season and led the Pats in receiving yards (804) and touchdowns (6). Wide receiver Phillip Dorsett played with three different teams this past season. He also spent three years in Foxborough and in McDaniels’ system.

The Raiders also signed wideouts Cam Sims (Commanders) and DeAndre Carter (Chargers). There’s a new tight end combination in O.J. Howard (Texans) and Austin Hooper (Titans).

Of course, scoring points hasn’t necessarily been the problem for the Silver and Black as of late. The Raiders’ defense has been the biggest issue for the last decade or so. This past season, the club gave up the fifth-most total yards per game in the league and the fourth-most passing yards per contest.

As far as McDaniels’ passing game, it will be interesting to see how long it takes to make it all come together. Meanwhile, who knows what additional talent this aerial attack might add via the draft?