The Las Vegas Raiders had been tied to several rumors regarding their potential options under center this NFL offseason. Despite a few big names reportedly being made available, the Silver and Black have made it clear that they are content with quarterback Derek Carr.
Last year featured rumors that they were tied to now-Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady. Things were no different this time around amid the uncertainty with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
However, Carr received endorsements from teammates and the powers that be in Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock. Las Vegas is confident that all the right pieces are now in place to take things to the next level.
Gruden said during an episode of “The Raiders Report” that Carr’s efforts as the centerpiece of this offense have largely gone unnoticed, via Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk.
“Derek is very underestimated. He doesn’t get much credit for how good he’s playing, but he completes a lot of passes. He changes plays at the line of scrimmage. He’s starting to make more and more plays with his legs now,” Gruden said. “We’ve put some pretty good players around Derek. I think it shows.”
Gruden’s praise may feature some of the fundamental responsibilities of a starting quarterback. Regardless, it is evident that there is plenty of truth to his comments.
Carr finished the 2020 campaign posting career highs in passing yards (4,103), yards per completion (11.8), quarterback rating (101.4) and total QBR (71.0) last season. It is clear that his performance has Gruden optimistic that he can take this team back to the playoffs with some help from the defense.
Unfortunately, the other side of the ball remains the biggest question mark after another season where they were deemed the Achilles heel for this team. Their inability to contain opposing offenses led to yet another collapse in the second half of the season.
Fortunately, the Raiders made notable efforts to revamp their personnel on defense through both free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft. Gruden is hoping that these were the final pieces the team needed to take that next step into the playoffs.
Carr will have an opportunity to show what he can do with a stronger supporting cast. Only time will tell if Gruden and Mayock are vindicated of their decisions.
