Raiders News: Derek Carr Calls Ben Roethlisberger Still ‘One Of The Best’ QBs In The NFL
Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers, Raiders, Derek Carr
Jan 25, 2018; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a pass as Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) watches during AFC practice for the 2018 Pro Bowl at ESPN Wide World of Sports. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Although the Las Vegas Raiders may be coming off a thrilling win in the 2021 NFL season opener, they are now set to hit the road against a Pittsburgh Steelers team that managed to do the same against the Buffalo Bills.

This matchup features a showdown of notable quarterbacks in Derek Carr and Ben Roethlisberger. If their history as opponents is any indication, Week 2 could be poised for another shootout at Heinz Field.

Roethlisberger remains as one of the last veteran quarterbacks still standing in this league. But, while he may be in the final stretch of his career, the Raiders are not overlooking what he is capable of.

Carr offered some heavy praise for Roethlisberger and all that he has learned from him through the years, via Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports.

“Ben is unbelievable at extending plays,” Carr said earlier this week. “I don’t know if he would win a foot race with the guy that we played this past week (Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson), but Ben is someone that I’ve admired from afar forever. He’s a great talent. I was able to be at one Pro Bowl with him, so I got to ask him a lot of questions. Just kind of listen and learn. He’s a Hall of Fame quarterback; who wouldn’t take the opportunity to try and learn from that guy? I just sat there and I listened to how he talked to his team and the players that he had there with him and communicating with his coaches.

Carr added despite his age, he remains as one of the top-tier quarterbacks in the NFL.

“He’s unbelievable at extending plays in the pocket. … He’s crazy accurate. He’s not afraid to take chances. You’ve seen that throughout his whole career, and he’s gotten a couple rings out of it. He’s one of the best quarterbacks in our game, still. You hear in the offseason, ‘Is he done?’ I’m like, ‘I watched the film, I hope he’s not done.’ The guy is unbelievable. He’s playing at a high level. So our guys, I hope they’ll be ready, because he’s one of the best to do it.”

Even if Roethlisberger is well past his prime, his experience under center still makes him a formidable opponent to deal with for any defense. Despite Carr’s admiration for him, it is safe to say that he is putting his defense on notice.

As for the Raiders’ offense has a challenging task ahead of them going against a Steelers’ defense that just held the Bills’ high-powered offense to a mere 16 points in Week 1. Carr will need to find a way to put some points on the board to secure the tiebreaker over Roethlisberger in his career.