Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr continues to have to prove himself as the long-term answer for the team under center. He will prove once again in 2021 that he is the answer for the organization at quarterback as he is primed for a big season.
Carr is entering his fourth season with Jon Gruden as head coach. He has seen his numbers improve each season with him on the sidelines, as Carr’s yardage, touchdowns and quarterback rating have all gone up for three consecutive years. He has gotten comfortable with the system that Gruden implemented and commands it to perfection on the field.
In the prime of his career, there is no reason that he won’t make it four consecutive years of resetting his career-highs across the board. Carr will also have motivation on his side.
He is entering the fourth year of his five-year contract and could receive an extension from the Raiders. Those talks have been slow, but Carr should use it as motivation to show that he can get this team to the playoffs. With the 2018 draft class of Baker Mayfield, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson all looking to sign extensions soon, Carr could put himself in that area of pay increase with another good season.
Las Vegas has also surrounded Carr with some good talent for him to throw the ball to. Darren Waller is among the best tight ends in the NFL, catching 197 passes for 2,341 yards and 12 touchdowns the last two seasons.
While the team lost wide receiver Nelson Agholor to the New England Patriots, they did sign John Brown and Willie Snead IV to take his place. Las Vegas is also hopeful that they will get the second-year jumps from their 2020 draft class; first-round draft pick, Henry Ruggs III and third-round pick Bryan Edwards.
Las Vegas also has the looks of a strong running game. Josh Jacobs has played well his first two seasons in the NFL and the team added veteran Kenyan Drake to complement him. Drake has proven he can get the job done on the ground, but his receiving skills are what the Raiders liked most about him when they signed him.
With so much talent surrounding him, Derek Carr is set up for success in 2021. He is primed for a big season and should help get the Raiders back into the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
