What are the expectations for Derek Carr entering the 2020 season?
A team’s win-loss record may not be an individual statistic, but quarterbacks are heavily criticized by the success of their football team. Carr has just one winning season under his belt, so if he were ever going to quite his critics — he’ll likely need to post a winning record and a trip into the playoffs.
Carr’s 2019 season looks solid on paper — 70.4% completion percentage, 4,054 passing yards and 21 touchdowns, but there were a handful of games where the Raiders were out of reach to catch their opponent once the fourth quarter rolled around.
“Did I think about opting out? I did not,” Carr said in a video conference with team reporters last week. “I have a lot to prove to myself. I have a lot to prove to my organization. I’m going to be completely honest with you: I’m tired of being disrespected. So there was no question I was going to play this year.”
Carr typically tries to silence the outside noise despite the recent criticism over the last few seasons, but even he acknowledges that he’ll need to prove himself this season.
With all the assets viable to Carr’s disposal, expectations will include him leading a top 10 offense, along with winning games down the stretch run — something the Raiders weren’t able to do much of over the final six games in 2019.
The focus on Carr’s individual statistics won’t necessarily be the talking point on whether or not Carr has done enough to remain the quarterback, but rather he’ll be judged more exclusively on how the Raiders can stack wins throughout the 2020 season and clinch a playoff berth.
The clear-cut expectations for Carr are to win. There’s not much wiggle room for him anymore. If he can’t find success this year, his time in a Raiders uniform may come to an end after the closure of the 2020 season.
