Jon Gruden's moves in Raiders locker room

If you're confused by what the Oakland Raiders are doing, you're not alone.

The players are wondering, as well.

The Raiders made a huge headline on Monday when they traded Amari Cooper receiver to the Dallas Cowboys for a first-round pick. That came after Gruden said the Raiders were not shopping Cooper.

According to The Athletic Vic Tafur, players are not only at the 180 on that stance, but that Gruden did not bother telling them about the trade.

'You have to wonder if we have not been playing for draft picks'

At least some of the Raiders 'remaining players, who spoke to Tafur anonymously, are not thrilled with what' s going on.

"When you say that, there is a problem," one player told The Athletic.

Gruden did not address the team about the trade. Cooper was pulled out of practice Gruden did not say anything about the deal after practice was done. He did talk to ESPN, however.

Nothing much has gone right for the Raiders this season. The trade of Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears is one that will follow Gruden around for a long time. Trading Cooper was much more cautious, because they got a first-round pick for those who have not been productive in a long time. But now the Raiders have 10 games left and less hope than ever.

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Jon Gruden thinking long term

Gruden wants to reshape the roster, getting the type of players he wants. He made a lot of moves in the offseason, and the two big ones leave Oakland with five first-round picks over the next two years. He has been ridiculed for many of the moves, but he has some draft capital to work with in future years.

Players on the roster do not care much about the long-term plan. Tight end Lee Smith went on the record to talk about that.

"Guys do not work their ass off year-round because they are worried about the team being good in two or three years, they work hard to win. Now, "said Smith. "Nobody was happy when we traded Khalil. And nobody is happy that we traded Amari. How could you be? You never want to trade elite, homegrown talent. Goal Coach Gruden is thinking long term. "

The rest of the season could be very uncomfortable, and it's possible the Raiders are not done making moves.

"The Mack trade was a real stiff jab," Raiders told Tafur. "But the Cooper one was like a knockout punch, especially because we had just walked in the door from the bye. We did not want to believe it was coming, and Coach said we were not going to trade him. "

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