Oakland Raiders Center Stefen Wisniewski Unsure of 2015 Return
By Chase Ruttig
Dec 28, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders center Stefen Wisniewski (61) line up to snap the football across from members of the Denver Broncos in the first quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
In a contract year, center Stefen Wisniewski didn’t have one of his best seasons with the Oakland Raiders as he looked to prove his value to general manager Reggie McKenzie and owner Mark Davis before hitting unrestricted free agency. In fact, Wisniewski struggled in snap exchanges with Derek Carr before lacking in both pass and run blocking as his play took a downturn compared to recent years when it was expected he would be one of the better talents on the offensive line in 2014.
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Wisniewski and Carr combined for a botched snap in the season finale against the Broncos, but after the game the story was Wisniewski telling the media that it may be his last game as a Raider. Something that indicates the reports that the two sides aren’t in agreement of the center’s value on the open market are probably true.
“I’ve loved being a Raider. I’ve been one my whole life,” Wisniewski told CSN Bay Area on Sunday night in the midst of uncertain times going into the start of 2015. “I’m a free agent, so I have some choices to make. I love being here, but I think everything will work itself out.”
“I think it might have been my last game as a Raider. Then again, maybe it’s not. We’ll have to see.”
Wisniewski has played for the Raiders his whole career and is part of a proud family legacy with the franchise, but like Jared Veldheer last offseason this may be a case of player/agent believing they are worth more to resign than the Raiders are willing on giving. Reggie McKenzie let Veldheer walk and found a cheaper replacement in Donald Penn who outplayed the former Raiders left tackle according to PFF for much of 2014 so if Wisniewski wants money that the team feels he isn’t worth they will likely let him walk to try to find that payday elsewhere.
Going into the offseason it appears that Wisniewski has his mind up that the open market will be tested, but if he doesn’t find the payday that he and his agent expect there still may be hope that the center could remain with the team if the price is right on both sides.