If you’re a Las Vegas Raiders fan coming into this article you are either on one side of the Derek Carr debate or the other. You might’ve come into the article thinking yes another article to support my opinion. On the other hand, you are trying to spit some random fact about how Carr’s EPA is better than most quarterbacks in the NFL.
In reality, this article is on neither side. This is about the Raiders having to make a decision on what they will do with ‘4.’ In the end, you will be able to formulate an opinion on your own. This is the most important decision in recent Raiders history and to be completely frank, it needs to be the right one. Here are three things that could end up happening.
1. The Raiders draft a young quarterback to take over
The first one would be the Raiders keeping Carr and drafting a rookie. The reason this may not happen is that it’s unlikely Carr will be okay with the Raiders drafting someone to replace him. Keep in mind it’s hard to be okay with teaching someone who will take your job.
Also, it’s probably not going to happen because the Raiders would not want to keep Carr’s $23 million salary when they could only be on the book for $2 million of dead money if traded/released. Plus Carr has trade value as well for teams that need a quarterback. The way he’s played this year could help the Raiders land a second-round pick for him. This is the least likely scenario to happen this year for a multitude of reasons as stated before.
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2. What about bringing in a veteran?
The second most lucky scenario would involve the Raiders trading Carr and signing a veteran quarterback. Meanwhile, the rookie they draft can sit and learn the game better. This scenario is not completely unlikely because they already signed Mariota for a two-year deal last year. This could work because he looked efficient in running Gruden’s offense in Week 15.
This would also benefit a rookie because Mariota is a very intelligent and a vested veteran. Being a Top 5 pick would be invaluable for the rookie to understand what he is coming into. This isn’t as unlikely as the first scenario, but it’s more than likely not going to happen knowing Gruden.
3. Here’s the one that makes the most sense moving forward
This would be the most likely scenario. Derek Carr seems to have the ear of Jon Gruden and it seems like they are more friends than coach and player. The veteran is having one of the best seasons of his career statistically, but the wins aren’t there for this team. The immediate future it seems will have Carr starting Week 1 in 2021. Technically speaking he has done enough for Gruden and management to deserve another shot.
Now, this is not all of his fault and this isn’t about blaming it on him. It doesn’t matter how anyone feels about him, the Raiders need to make the decision for the future this offseason. It seems like it will piss many people on both sides of the debate regardless. Whatever decision they make needs to be the right one because one playoff appearance in the last 18 years is not enough for any franchise.
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Top Photo: Las Vegas Raiders official YouTube channel