It's that time of year when all the rumors, narratives, and lies start to get even bigger because nothing else is going on. We are now between the NFL draft and training camp, and the only other thing that is happening is the rookie minicamp, which the Las Vegas Raiders have on Friday.
But, before we get into rookie minicamp, assistant general manager Champ Kelly decided to talk to the media on Wednesday to answer any questions reporters and media may have. One thing that he answered happened to be a narrative and rumor that is making its rounds on Twitter.
One of the narratives making the rounds on Twitter, and reportedly put forth by the player himself, is that the Raiders had a subpar draft plan when their pick came on the clock at No. 13. This rumor has sparked considerable discussion among fans and media alike. He didn't intentionally say that, but the phrasing makes it seem that way.
"They [Detroit Lions] knew there was a possibility the Raiders would get me," cornerback Terrion Arnold said. "And actually, the Raiders coach called me after and told me you know we had a coin toss between you and Brock Bowers, and it landed on him. I was like, oh wow..."
How did the Raiders decide between drafting Terrion Arnold and Brock Bowers?
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) May 7, 2024
A coin flip. pic.twitter.com/oHAcFeeyIx
The Detroit Lions did indeed draft Arnold in the back of the first round. However, while many Raiders fans may have hoped for their team to secure the best cornerback in this draft, Terrion Arnold, the outcome was different. It's important to note that I cannot confirm or deny the veracity of his statement, as I simply do not have that information.
But I know that Champ Kelly was asked about that, and his answer would say it did not happen.
"Yeah, I can't confirm that at all," Champ Kelly said on Wednesday before the Raiders open rookie minicamp. Terrion [Arnold] is a good player. I'm excited to watch his career and play. But we drafted Brock [Bowers] and are excited to get him here. And I don't think anyone else in our whole draft room felt any other way."
#Raiders Champ Kelly: "I can't confirm that at all. I'm excited to watch him [Terrion Arnold] play. We drafted Brock Bowers, and we were excited to get him and I don't think anyone in our draft room felt any other way."
— Justin Churchill (@ChurchillAtoZ) May 8, 2024
On rumors of the coin flip on Arnold and Bowers
Now, we don't know if this happened or didn't happen or anything, really. But, we do know that GMs, or assistant GMs in this case, do this from time to time, where they will stand on their decision to draft the player they did and deny every rumor that they were interested in another player. The moment they acknowledge that they want the other player instead, it could mess with the player they drafted confidence.
So, either way, Kelly's approach is smart. And even if Arnold is telling the truth, I'm sure it wasn't a literal coin flip but rather a phrase people use that also means a split decision. Either way, this was a weird thing that happened, and now that Kelly cleared things up, the Raiders can move on to rookie minicamp.
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