EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — In an effort to protect his $125 million franchise quarterback but also due to ineffectiveness, Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden benched quarterback Derek Carr in the third quarter of the Raiders’ loss to the New York Jets on Sunday.
The Raiders, who entered the game as the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoff race and a half game behind the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West, were trailing 34-3. Carr had just thrown a pick-six to Brian Poole on a ball that bounced off receiver Tyrell Williams.
Carr, whose 127 passing yards Sunday were the fourth-fewest of his career, completed 15 of 27 passes (a season-low 55.6 completion percentage) with the interception. It was just the second time this season Carr did not throw a touchdown pass and his 52.5 passer rating was the third-lowest of his six-year career (49.1 at Kansas City in 2016, 50.5 at the Rams in 2016).
Carr was victimized early and often, though, by drops from tight end Derek Carrier, receiver Hunter Renfrow, who left the game with a rib injury, running back Jalen Richard and Williams. Mike Glennon replaced Carr and immediately had trouble with the slick football, fumbling the snap twice on his initial series.