Without a doubt, the biggest story of this off-season for the Oakland Raiders has been the relocation to Las Vegas. But just underneath the surface, another drama has been playing out. Derek Carr‘s contract expires after the 2017 NFL season, and it’s a foregone conclusion that he’ll be re-signed before the season starts. Carr will likely become the NFL’s highest paid player, and while that might bother some fans, he’s worth every penny.
Derek Carr: Worth Every Penny
It’s only human nature to take good things for granted. You grow accustomed to having certain benefits or advantages, and you forget about the time you didn’t. For everyone that is bothered by the idea of Derek Carr making the most money in the NFL, there are a few names they need to consider.
The Raiders have a rich history at the quarterback position. From Daryle Lamonica to Ken Stabler to Rich Gannon, the Oakland Raiders have benefited from great quarterbacks in the past. But when you look at who was under center between 2004, when Gannon took his last snaps for the silver and black, and 2014, when the Raiders drafted Derek Carr, you wouldn’t know that.
15 quarterbacks started a game for the Oakland Raiders over that decade. Kerry Collins, Marques Tuiasosopo, Andrew Walter, Aaron Brooks, Josh McCown, Daunte Culpepper, JaMarcus Russell, Bruce Gradkowski, Charlie Frye, Jason Campbell, Kyle Boller, Carson Palmer, Terrelle Pryor, Matt Flynn, and Matt McGloin all started at least one game for the silver and black. Over that span, the Raiders were a combined 44-100.
Since Derek Carr became Oakland’s starting quarterback, the silver and black are 22-26. In three years as a starter, Carr has already won half as many games as the team did in a decade. With Carr under center, the Raiders have improved every year, winning three games as a rookie, seven games in his second season, and 12 games last year. As Carr improves, so do the Raiders, and it’s obvious.
It Takes a Nation
It is a little unfair to give Derek Carr all of the credit for the Raiders resurgence. General manager Reggie McKenzie has been absolutely brilliant, and while head coach Jack Del Rio isn’t the best playcaller, he’s been instrumental in changing the team’s culture. It’s easy to point at Oakland’s offensive line, which is one of the best in the league, or even Carr’s receivers, Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper. And it goes without saying the Raiders would be far worse off without reigning defensive player of the year, Khalil Mack.
Some felt that Derek Carr’s injury this year would hurt him even more when contract time came around. A nagging injury can scare teams, especially when they’re considering paying well over $100 million. But what happened in the two games without their star quarterback silenced those thoughts.
After averaging 27 points per game throughout the season, the Raiders only scored 20 points in two games without Carr. Veteran Matt McGloin and rookie Connor Cook took a shot at filling Carr’s shoes, but it became very apparent very quickly that they couldn’t even tie his laces. Without Derek Carr, the offense was completely inept and not even All-Pro Khalil Mack could get things going defensively.
Not Your Dad’s Raider
Derek Carr isn’t a partier like Ken Stabler. He’s not a draft bust like Jim Plunkett. He’s not a journeyman like Rich Gannon. He goes to church every Sunday, and would rather bury his face in the playbook than any illegal substance. He’s a fiery competitor with a thirst for victory and a love for his team. If you asked someone to describe the quintessential Raider, it’s unlikely that Derek Carr would come to mind.
But that’s exactly what Carr is. He’s hungry, he’s driven, and he’s passionate. He doesn’t make bad choices on or off the field, and all he wants to do is just win, baby. The Raider Nation has waited long enough to be good again. They suffered through dreadful coaches, draft busts, and hilarious bad free agent signings. They’ve seen savior after savior come and go without salvation.
Derek Carr will likely become the NFL’s highest paid player in the next couple of months, and while that might cost the Raiders a free agent or two down the road, it’ll be worth it. Carr is the captain of a new breed, the new face on the shield, and the man that has only begun to save the Raiders. Derek Carr will likely be the NFL’s highest paid player, but he’ll be worth every penny.
