Raiders coach Jon Gruden loves his skill-position players on offense. He’s stuffed the Las Vegas roster with versatile weapons, all of whom need the football in their hands.
But there’s only one football, of course. They’ll have to share. Quarterback Derek Carr says that the entire group — from the speedy Henry Ruggs III to fullback Alec Ingold — are as unselfish as they are skilled. And the most unselfish of them all is the No. 1 target for Carr this season, tight end Darren Waller.
“Darren Waller is the most unselfish superstar I’ve ever been around,” Carr said during media availability on Wednesday. “Very excited about that for the other guys because he doesn’t demand anything. He’s going to run the route full speed regardless, whether he’s a clear-out or getting the ball.”
Football is perhaps the ultimate team sport, but it’s not a given that the best player on the team will have his teammates in mind as Waller does. That’s an enormous benefit for the Raiders, on top of Waller’s immense talent.
Carr went on to say that Waller wants his teammates to have big days on the gridiron; in the end, it all benefits the Raiders. “Because the next game, they have to account for that and he’s going to be open,” Carr said.
Much of Waller’s attitude likely comes from the path he’s taken to superstardom. A former practice squad player for the Ravens, he’s found his way off the field after struggling with addiction. Now, his talent is so evident, it’s unlikely that he’ll run many clear routes in 2021.
The Raiders are simply lucky to have Waller on the squad. Where would Gruden and Carr be without him? That he’s unselfish and can set an example in Gruden’s versatile offense only sweetens the deal. And as humble as Waller is, everyone affiliated with the NFL knows he’ll get the football a lot this season. At this point, it’s just what’s best for the team.