So, it seems, feels, and now seems like Derek Carr is formally completed with the Raiders group. Carr has been a giant a part of Raider Nation since getting into the NFL in 2014. Carr was benched to finish the season, and simply days after the 2022 marketing campaign ended, he posted what can solely be categorized as a “farewell” tweet to followers of the storied franchise.
It wasn’t way back that Carr said he solely wished to play for the Raiders and would relatively keep residence if he couldn’t. How shortly issues change, and only one yr after making the playoffs, Carr is pressured to consider his future outdoors the Raiders facility in Las Vegas. Let’s not overlook how a lot drama circulated across the ‘21 campaign following the Jon Gruden email scandal. Carr led the Raiders to their first (and only) playoff appearance of his tenure.
How will Carr be remembered?
If the Carr era is indeed over in Las Vegas, he’ll go down as among the finest quarterbacks in franchise historical past, statistically. In some classes, he’s the perfect the Raiders have ever produced. Carr is the chief in TDs, passing yards, and completion share for the Raiders. Ken Stabler is the closest in TD passes (150), with Daryle Lamonica and Rich Gannon following as the one different Raiders to succeed in 100 TD passes with the workforce.
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While the former second-round pick from Fresno State has put up some respectable accumulative numbers, he trails far behind his predecessors when it comes to accolades and accomplishments. Stabler is a Hall of Famer, Lamonica a two-time All-Pro, and Gannon a league MVP. In fact, Gannon accomplished more than Carr in three fewer years with the team. Gannon was also a two-time All-Pro, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, and led the Oakland Raiders to the Super Bowl XXXVII. (Additionally, Jim Plunkett — who has thrown for the fifth-most yards and sixth-most TDs in franchise history — won two rings with the Raiders in the 1980s).
It’s like the LeBron James-Michael Jordan debate. No, I’m not calling Carr either of these guys, so let’s simmer down. Carr’s hold on many of the franchise passing records — attempts, completions, yards, TDs — is based on longevity, like James in the NBA. James played so much longer than Jordan and many other legends that he’ll hold a lot of the most important records in NBA history when he finally retires. Aside from Stabler, Carr played longer in a Raider uniform than many other QBs. And in the era he plays in, he should own most of the franchise’s records. But that doesn’t make him the best.
Overall production is what it came down to for Carr. He couldn’t get this team over the hump, which isn’t all his fault. But when you’re the franchise QB, you get most of the praise when things go well, then all the blame when the team struggles. It’s the nature of the beast and what you sign up for as an NFL QB.
One playoff game in nine years isn’t what makes a Hall of Fame career. The Raiders qualified for the postseason in 2016, but Carr missed that wildcard game due to an injury. Those other all-time great Raider QBs had multiple playoff wins and deep runs in the postseason. Under Carr, that hasn’t been the case.
The relationship between Carr and the fan base has often been mixed based on his up-and-down performances. Indeed, some are sad to see him go, but many others have been calling for this move for a while. Carr still has much left in the tank for another team, but his best years could be behind him. Carr is a top 20 QB at worst and more likely in the top 15.
Looking ahead… Could Carr end up in New York?
There can be suitors — maybe the New York Jets or the Indianapolis Colts, who’ve lately saved turning to veteran QBs — however it’s uncertain any group will commerce belongings to amass Carr. The Raiders must resolve earlier than Feb. 15 on Derek’s destiny. Otherwise, he’s owed $40 million in ensures on his contract. But they’ll’t technically commerce him till Mar. 15, when the brand new league yr begins. So, it’s nearly sure proprietor Mark Davis will launch Carr throughout the subsequent few weeks to keep away from paying him.
Wherever Carr lands, hopefully, it’ll be a greater state of affairs concerning how the group is run. The Raiders have been a large number for years and have been lengthy earlier than Carr arrived. Now Carr can transfer on together with his profession and probably have a resurgence. Meanwhile, the Raiders will decide up the items and start the seek for their future on the QB place.