Raiders trade TE Darren Waller to add to controversial off-season

What exactly is the Patriots Way? If you ask anyone who has ever played or coached for the historic organization they would probably have an answer. Anyone outside of that Patriots fraternity may not understand it. As it stands early in free agency it seems like Raider fans and some of their star players are looking for a quick definition of it.

Tuesday, the Raiders traded former pro bowl tight end Darren Waller to the New York Giants for a third round pick. The trade no doubt was beneficial to both sides, Raiders saved 11 million dollars in cap room and acquired an extra draft pick which gives them 12 total picks. As for the Giants, they get a guy in Waller who is third among NFL tight ends in catches (280) and receiving yards (3,394) since 2019, behind Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews. He signed a three-year, $51 million contract extension in September that made him the league's highest-paid tight end.

However, the details of the trade seemed to rub certain people the wrong way. Raiders star running back Josh Jacobs took to twitter seconds after the trade tweeting “S*** sad.” Other reports surfaced of a potential reason why this trade occurred. The former Raider just married Las Vegas Aces star player Kelsey Plum. The couple had wishes of wanting to keep their wedding a secret. However, his former head coach Josh McDaniels broke the news to the media during the NFL combine and it seemed to rub Waller the wrong way. Plum then took to twitter after Waller was traded “it’s prolly cuz he wasn’t invited to our wedding lol.”

McDaniels has always been a lightning rod for controversy. The incident with Waller doesn’t seem to do him any favors. On top of that the Raiders free agency thus far has had their fans on edge. Their biggest acquisition thus far has been former Patriots wide receiver Jacoby Meyers. Meyers signed a three-year, $33 million deal that includes $21 million guaranteed. To go along with former Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garopolo. Some other signings the Raiders have made are LB Robert Spillane, S Marcus Epps, CB Brandon Facyson and WR Phillip Dorsett. Along with re-signing S Rodric Teamer, T Brandon Parker and FB Jakob Johnson.

A great deal of the Raiders signings have had Patriots or McDaniels ties, which it seems like a full shift is happening in the Raiders locker room creating the new Patriot Way in Vegas. The moves have many in wait and see mode because none of them really jump off the page at you. It seems like the moves he is making trading away beloved players and burning certain bridges speak louder than anything else. The new regime does deserve a chance to see if their plan works. However, the skepticism will certainly remain until the season starts.