The last time the Las Vegas Raiders made the playoffs, wide receiver Hunter Renfrow had over 1,000 receiving yards and was named to the Pro Bowl. That was the only time he ever got to be part of a playoff roster.
He signed with the Carolina Panthers this season and had spent the whole year with the team. Though he hasn’t played since Week 6, he could’ve at least provided depth for the playoff run. However, the Panthers had another idea.
The team announced that they cut Renfrow ahead of their playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams. It looked like he could be an impact player for Carolina this season when he had seven catches for 48 yards and two touchdowns in Week 2.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to make that kind of impact in subsequent games. He hasn’t been active since Week 6.
Going to the Panthers was a homecoming for Renfrow, who was born and raised in nearby South Carolina. He didn’t play in 2024, and there were questions about whether or not he had a future in football. He was able to get one more season in with his hometown team. He’s a free agent now, so he can sign with any of the playoff teams, but it remains to be seen if that will happen.
Is Renfrow Done Playing Football?
There’s a possibility that Renfrow has played his last down of football. He looked like one of the best slot receivers in the NFL before the 2022 season. During that year, he suffered a concussion and an oblique injury. He hasn’t been the same player since.
Renfrow was lauded for his route running, but he seems to have lost some speed. He only recently turned 30, so there’s a chance he could still want to play, but it’s looking like he might have to pivot to something else. He’ll always be remembered for his early Raiders tenure, but he was never able to recapture the magic of his 2021 season.
Tre Tucker Talks Raiders Coaching Search
The Raiders are undergoing another head coaching search. Many players on the roster have cycled through three or four coaches during their time with the team.
Wide receiver Tre Tucker was drafted under the Josh McDaniels regime, so he’s been coached by McDaniels, Antonio Pierce and Pete Carroll. He’s hoping that the Raiders can finally find consistency.
“Everybody needs to be on the same page. That comes with having a coach where we can all win and build stability that way,” Tucker told reporters on Monday. “All coaches have different styles. I’ve had Josh (McDaniels), AP, Pete. They’re all different, but they all have similar things. Whoever we get, the whole staff, everyone, we all have to be on the same page. I think that’ll translate to wins for us, and that’s when we’ll start having fun with it.”
History would suggest that the Raiders will have to do another coaching search in the next few years, but perhaps they can finally find the right staff. It’s hard to see how this team will win unless they find consistency at the head coach position.
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