Raiders GM Mike Mayock Claims Team is 'Appreciative' of Derek Carr and That's a Weird Thing to Say

There's really nothing more infuriating than when general managers -- or any front office executive, for that matter -- are deceptive with the media in order to maintain the preferred optics for their organization. Right on cue, despite signing the out-of-favor Marcus Mariota this offseason, Las Vegas Raiders general manager Mike Mayock heaped praise on incumbent starting quarterback Derek Carr, going as far as to say that the franchise is "appreciative" of the inconsistent 29-year-old.

Well, Mike, that's great. But forgive us if we don't buy it.

An appreciative GM wouldn't sign a former starting quarterback in Mariota to motivate Carr to perform up to his billing (or target up-and-coming talents in this month's draft). If the three-time Pro Bowler doesn't impress in 2020, you have to think that he will benched in favor of Mariota, who himself lost his job in Tennessee to one Ryan Tannehill last season.

That reeks of uncertainty, and confirms that Mayock has zero idea of what to make of Carr. That, or he continues to mislead the media. As recently as February, the Raiders exec offered up a contradictory assessment of the team's quarterback situation.

Hmmm. So, which is it?

Prior to the 2019 season, Carr signed a five-year, $125 million contract extension with the Raiders. Had the team not committed such significant finances to the Fresno State product, we sincerely doubt that Mayock would go out of his way to applaud his service to the franchise.