Quite a few Las Vegas Raiders players were reportedly not at all happy by the sudden release of a very popular member of a winning unit on special teams.
If you haven’t noticed, the Las Vegas Raiders front office has been very aggressive in making notable changes to their roster over the last couple of months. They unceremoniously dispatched long-time quarterback Derek Carr before last season ended, then quickly replaced him in NFL free agency with Jimmy Garoppollo.
Related: Las Vegas Raiders star voices frustration over Darren Waller trade
They also traded off Darren Waller just a few months after giving him a long-term extension and the addition of several wide receivers makes Hunter Renfrow’s days on the roster seem numbered. However, there was a notable roster switch this month that went under the radar for most fans and observers, but not for some Las Vegas Raiders players.
Las Vegas Raiders (2022): 6-11, third place in AFC West
In March, the Las Vegas Raiders cut long-snapper Trent Sieg after five years with the franchise and instead signed former Broncos counterpart Jacob Bobenmoyer. While that would seem like no big deal, on Thursday, The Athletic’s Vic Tarfur revealed it was a problem for some players currently on the roster.
“There was some surprise and anger among players when the Raiders signed former Broncos long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer and released five-year veteran Trent Sieg, who is extremely close with wildly successful kicker Daniel Carlson and punter AJ Cole. Why break up the trio when they are doing so well together?”
– Vic Tarfur
In the report, the move was made because decision-makers felt the Broncos veteran was better and “special teams coach Tom McMahon wanted his guy from his days in Denver.” Furthermore, the front office believes the team’s kickers and other teammates will “move on by the time the season rolls around.”
It should be noted that both Carlson and Cole were Pro Bowlers in 2022, and a good relationship between a long-snapper and kicker is not far off from that of a quarterback and center. Overlooked, but still vital.
This is also not the first time Las Vegas Raiders players have not been thrilled with notable roster moves over the last two months.