As the Los Angeles Chargers pick themselves up off the mat and reassert themselves as contenders in the AFC, the Las Vegas Raiders find themselves in the middle of yet another lost season that is not going to suddenly turn on its heel and see them start reeling off victories.
The Raiders' biggest problem, outside of veteran quarterback Geno Smith regressing, has been what can charitably be deemed a pitiful lack of talent at the wide receiver position. With veteran Jakobi Meyers seemingly in line to be traded soon, the ranks are in-line to get even thinner.
The Raiders' response to their dwindling wide receiver talent has to make Chargers fans giggle to themselves at the notion that this addition will be able to turn things around. Fresh off requesting his release from the Tennessee Titans, veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett intends to sign with the Raiders.
Lockett is linking back up with some of his old friends, as he has plenty of familiarity with both Carroll and Smith. While this move will satisfy those who can't get enough Seattle Seahawks nostalgia, this combination is not going to be what finally gets this offense out of the doldrums.
Chargers fans can laugh at Raiders after surprise Tyler Lockett signing
Lockett caught just 10 passes for 70 yards with the Titans. While this was clearly the byproduct of playing with a rookie quarterback in Cam Ward and a lame duck Brian Callahan-led coaching staff, Lockett is also clearly a step slower than he was in his time with the Seahawks.
The Raiders' best course of action for the remainder of the season should be to throw rookies Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr. into the fire and see how well they handle themselves after a Meyers trade. Bringing in Lockett as a veteran mentor type might be appealing, but it won't change the scope of this offense.
Does this move sound a bit desperate? Carroll and Smith have clearly underperformed, and it seems like what they think will turn this team around is getting the band back together and reuniting with a past-his-prime wide receiver who couldn't make waves in Tennessee's room.
The Chargers may not be in a position to laugh at too many teams due to how volatile they have been from week to week, but if the Raiders think Lockett is going to make a positive impact on their offense, that is worth quite a few chuckles.