For the third offseason in a row, several questions have pertained to the present and future of Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr.
Last season, he recorded career-highs in completion percentage and passing yards, but his improvements in year two under head coach Jon Gruden still weren’t enough to clinch a playoff appearance. Carr was booed as he exited his final game in Oakland, with members of the fan base wanting change.
Throughout the whirlwind of free agency and the NFL Draft being held through a virtual format, multiple reports suggested the Raiders could add Carr’s successor leading up to the 2020 season.
General manager Mike Mayock and Gruden stayed firm to their word of retaining Carr in the starting role. Alternatively, the Raiders signed Marcus Mariota as the team’s backup. Instead of the theory of replacing Carr, they went a separate route and chose to build pieces around the veteran quarterback as he enters his seventh NFL season.
If a quarterback were ever on a hot seat, Carr is on it. The Raiders kept intact all five starters across the offensive line. Several starters among their skill positions are back, such as Josh Jacobs, Darren Waller, Tyrell Williams, and Hunter Renfrow. Plus the additions through the draft of Henry Ruggs III, Lynn Bowden Jr., and Bryan Edwards. Carr has several ways to attack his opponents and now has depth at the skill positions to a much greater extent than he’s had in past seasons.
The pressure is on and Carr must deliver to remain the signal-caller in Las Vegas for the foreseeable future. Lett’s take a look at what to expect from Carr as he enters his third season under Jon Gruden.
