Raiders: Darren Waller discusses Chiefs, Carr, Gruden and more

When it comes to the roster heading into the 2021 NFL season, the Las Vegas Raiders have question marks, but a few pieces are certainly not. One of those pieces is Darren Waller, a tight end who has taken the NFL by storm since landing with the Raiders and is just entering the prime of his NFL career.

Waller recently sat down with ClutchPoints to discuss everything Raiders, and fans of the team should take time out and watch the entire interview, linked below. Waller is a cornerstone of this franchise, and someone who is going to play a huge role in the Raiders’ future plans, and it is always interesting to see what players really think of their organization, and the people around them.

Raiders star tight end Darren Waller discusses Chiefs, Carr, Gruden

In talking with ClutchPoints, Waller went into several topics, including what it is going to take for the Raiders to catch the Chiefs in the AFC West. Waller feels that the Raiders have just as much talent as Kansas City, and the difference is putting the same product on the field every week.

"“Our best is right there with the Chiefs’ best, but the difference is the consistency at which we play our best. The Chiefs give you that same product every week whereas we don’t.”"

Waller also went on to discuss quarterback Derek Carr, a player who many feel the team should move on from. For Waller, Carr is not only a tremendous quarterback but a great friend and leader.

"“Yeah, it’s a relationship that started right when I got into the team. Derek expressed his belief in me when I was running scout cards when I first got to the Raiders, telling me that I’ll be able to do some great things. It’s just things like that that resonate, just being friends and having vulnerable conversations about life and stuff like that, it just turns it into somebody you don’t want to let down.”"

And what about Jon Gruden? Gruden was the man who took a chance on Waller, signing him almost immediately after seeing him play, and he certainly has his fair share of quotable content. Waller’s favorite? Absolutely hilarious.

"He says, ‘Don’t try to stuff sand up a flea’s ass.’ He’s basically saying don’t force things if they aren’t there, don’t try to overdo or over think it.”"

Waller is a huge part of what the Raiders need to take the next step and become a perennial playoff contender.

You can check out the entire interview here, courtesy of ClutchPoints.

Coming off his first Pro Bowl season, Waller is just getting started at the NFL level, and has etched his name as a top-3 tight end in the NFL. After a record-breaking 2020 campaign, and back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, he is the top option in the passing game for Carr, and it appears he is more than happy to be in the Silver and Black.