Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is in his eighth season in the NFL, and a recent quote after a victory over the Denver Broncos has many questioning its meaning. More importantly, should there be any concern regarding his future?
The Raiders defeated the Broncos in Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, helping to essentially keep the Raiders’ playoff hopes alive. Carr was sacked twice and hit four times. At one point, Carr limped off to the sideline and gave fans a scare when third-string backup quarterback Nathan Peterman was seen donning a helmet. Luckily, Carr re-entered the game, but fans from the 2016 season remember when he did not return after a broken fibula against the Indianapolis Colts.
Following the victory, Carr had some words when asked about his injuries.
“My body, I never lie to you. I just don’t feel good.”
Something or Nothing?
On the surface, it is clear that Carr took quite a beating in this game, which is what he is referring to. However, there could be more to this than a simple summary of his current condition.
Carr, who was considered for MVP at the start of the season, is no longer in the running. Carr is one of the most criticized quarterbacks in the league. Even within his fanbase, Raider Nation, the debate is endless and unforgiving. Recently, the Raiders’ defense has been on the receiving end of public praise. Meanwhile, the offense is currently in hot water, and for good reason. In the last six games of the 2021 season, the offense has only scored more than 20 points once, and that was during an overtime shootout against the Dallas Cowboys.
Carr has to be tired of the constant criticism and dealing with the obstacles he has faced in his career. Granted, Carr is not the only quarterback that has had to deal with adversity. However, he has had more than most. In the 2021 season alone, he has to deal with the arrest of a rising star and his friend, Henry Ruggs III. That was preceded by the resignation of his coach, Jon Gruden.
Before Ruggs and Gruden, Carr had to get past other setbacks, which began in earnest with Jack Del Rio’s firing. Later on, his best friend and defensive end, Khalil Mack, was traded. That was followed by Amari Cooper’s departure from the Silver and Black. Also, who could forget the controversy during the Washington game in 2017 and his injuries and responsibilities.
Enough is Enough?
Is it beyond the realm of possibility that Carr has had enough? Carr must realize that again, the Raiders must draft a receiver, select a new head coach, and adapt to a new system. Could Carr be tired of the constant rebuild, the injuries, the setbacks, and essentially the mediocrity that has been the Raiders for the last five seasons? It’s possible.
Carr is clear when it comes to his faith. Many allude to the possibility of a career focused on his faith when football is done. Carr has also said that he wants to be a Raider for life and the possibility of moving his large family elsewhere to play for another team is not something he is considering. When watching that post game presser, you could see that Carr was tired. Carr was not just tired from a long game, which the Broncos game was, but tired from football. Could the fact that the Raiders are again facing the Colts in the second-to-last game of the regular season be weighing on his mind? Bringing back memories of his season-ending injury in 2016, when the playoffs were on the line?
Is It All Finally Getting To Carr?
Carr could just be exhausted from the stress of this year’s issues summarized above, but there definitely could be more to the exhausted athlete we saw Sunday night. We saw something similar with the Colts’ Andrew Luck in 2019 when he shocked the football world and retired. Could we see something like that again when the 2021 season comes to a conclusion?
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*Top Photo: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
