The Las Vegas Raiders early season success has ridden on the right arm of quarterback Derek Carr. Carr is in control of this ship now, and he has led them into the bye tied for first place in the division.
Through thick and thin since 2014, Derek Carr has been the quarterback of the Oakland and Las Vegas Raiders. He entered this season with high expectations, no guarantees, and playing for his job. Not only his job but now, the job of interim head coach Rich Bisaccia and more.
Carr, along with fellow team captains Darren Waller and Maxx Crosby, chose to lead in former head coach Jon Gruden’s absence. Carr started the year with a bang. Dominating the Baltimore Ravens’ secondary, and he has continued carving up defenses all season long. Carr is playing the best football of his career. Way better than 2016, and it’s not even close.
Grading Carr, The Quarterback: A-
| agg% | comp% | rating | yards | timetothrow | td | att | |
| D.Carr | 14.7 | 67.7 | 101.2 | 2269 | 2.75 | 12 | 266 |
| Rankings | 24th | 10th | 10th | 4th | 19th | 15th | 10th |
Very few players have had to deal with as much constant scrutiny as Carr. Fewer quarterbacks have suffered the lack of continuity and had to overcome it. So far, Carr has done so and is thriving despite it all.
In 2021, Carr has 266 passing attempts for 2,269 yards and 12 touchdowns. His midseason accomplishments rank as 10th most attempts, fourth-most yards, and 15th most passing touchdowns overall. Carr is playing more aggressively while still completing 67.7% of his passes.
Even more impressive is how much more aggressively Carr is playing despite his offensive line offering him only 2.75 seconds in the pocket. He is averaging 8.5 yards per passing attempt (7th), 324.1 yards per game (2nd), and both of these rank in the top ten.
 Grading post-Gruden Carr: A+
| yards | aggression% | time to throw | rating | Â comp% | td | iay | |
| Week 6 | 341 | 18.5 | 2.85 | 134.4 | 66.7 | 2 | 11.4 |
| Ranking | 5th | 6th | 11th | 1st | 16th | 5th | 2nd |
| Week 7 | 323 | 17.6 | 2.25 | 113.6 | 91.2 | 2 | 5 |
| Ranking | 4th | 12th | 30th | 4th | 1st | 9th | 24th |
Gruden has been a fabulous mentor to Carr, coaching him up to evolve his skills as a quarterback. In Gruden’s absence, Carr has been the field general and coach on the field.
Both he and offensive coordinator Greg Olson have contributed to the game plan. The pace of the offense is different, and the players take their complete lead from Carr. Body language is usually a big indicator of how a team is feeling at any given moment. Whenever the camera cuts to Carr, he appears to be in control with total confidence.
The next-gen stats for the last couple of weeks alone show just how much Carr is killing it. Without the efforts of Carr, the Raiders would be in dire straits relying on the running game. The offensive identity for the Raiders is Carr and his right arm. They will go as far as he carries them and not a yard farther.
No extensions needed
It’s important to remember Carr is still under contract for one more season. Right now, he is the biggest bargain in the league, a quarterback playing elite football for less than $20 million a year. He won’t be making $20 million next year either. Re-signing him isn’t imperative, but it is something he is aware of, even if he’s allowing Tim Younger to handle his contract.
More than anything, Carr needs to take this early season success and continue to build on it. There isn’t a reason the Raiders can’t be a playoff team. At 5-2, they are in sole possession of first place in the AFC West and second in the conference.
It’s time for Carr to take the next step and put together a complete season, and hold this team together. It’s time to see him take the Raiders to the promised land. He has a defense, he has talent, and Gruden’s play calling isn’t holding him back. If Carr wants to get paid, he has to win in January.
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*Top Photo: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports