One topic that has been up for debate this off-season, is if this upcoming season is a prove it year for Raiders QB Derek Carr. One can make a legitimate argument for both sides and both point of views are below.
Not A Prove It Year For Derek Carr?
While the wins and touchdowns were lower than expected in 2018, Carr set career highs for passing yards and completion percentage with 4,049 and 68.9. Typically, when a player hits career highs in two crucial statistics, the next year isn’t considered a prove it year.
There is no question there hasn’t been a whole lot of stability when it comes to the coaching staff surrounding Carr. In his five seasons, Carr has played for four offensive coordinators. 2019 will only be the second time in his career where the coordinator from the previous year returns. This amount of turnover would effect any QB’s development. In theory, the more time Gruden and Carr have together, the more comfortable the QB will become in the offense and play better.
Prove It Year
The way Carr’s contract is structured, the Raiders save $16.5 million in cap space if he is cut before the start of the 2020 season. If Carr doesn’t meet expectations next season, the extra cap space can be used to improve the roster as a whole or put towards another QB.
Next year’s QB class has a bunch of talent, with Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa, Georgia’s Jake Fromm and Oregon’s Justin Herbert serving as the headliners. It’s human nature to assume the grass is greener on the other side and the talent all three players have shown may be just enough to put more pressure on Carr. Saving some cap space and developing a QB on a relatively cheap contract may be an avenue Oakland considers, if the team doesn’t like what they see from Carr in 2019.
Raider Cody joins the Fly Sweep crew to discuss expectations for Carr and he weighs in on the Brenston Buckner and Tom Cable discussion. Listen to the full podcast below and feel free to share your thoughts on any of the topics!