Derek Carr’s 2020 season was one of his best for the Las Vegas Raiders.
He had a career-high in passing yards (4,103) to go with 27 touchdowns.
Carr also completed 67.3 percent of his passes and committed just nine interceptions.
These numbers translate to the highest quarterback rating of his career (71.0)
The former Fresno State standout is at the peak of his NFL journey.
But if he keeps this production up, he can become a Raider for life.
Carr’s Contract Situation
He will be earning $19.6 million this year when he will be 30 years old.
However, he is under contract until 2022 and will be receiving $19.8 million.
Therefore, the next two years are vital for him to remain a Raider.
Now that he’s trending up, an extension will likely happen.
#Raiders QB Derek Carr: "I have young guys calling me 'OG' and I'm like, 'I'm only 30 years old.' But we have a young team."
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) August 4, 2021
There’s a possibility, though, that his next contract will be his last, depending on his physical condition.
His next deal will be more lucrative than the five-year, $125 million he signed in 2017.
He can even get a salary that is comparable to the annual rate of what Dak Prescott or Josh Allen got if he can keep his production close to those two quarterbacks.
But the increasing salary cap can bump up his salary even further.
It’s Risky To Gamble On A New Quarterback
There’s still a possibility that Carr will not live up to the Raiders’ lofty expectations.
When that happens, they can always get another quarterback via the draft or through a trade.
Yet NFL teams might not be willing to trade away their marquee quarterbacks.
Likewise, there’s no guarantee that a rookie quarterback will have a better career than Carr.
It’s a risky move that might not pay off.
Carr’s performance is tough to match and that’s why he will hold on to his job despite a few bad games.
Marcus Mariota isn’t the solution even if Carr goes on a slump.
Carr has also taken an iconic status with the Raiders that it will be difficult to replace him.
The Raiders Are Improving
Carr will be working with talented players on offense.
Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake are turning into a potent one-two punch from the backfield.
Meanwhile, the receiving corps has a big target in tight end Darren Waller, and fast receivers in Henry Ruggs III and Bryan Edwards.
But what makes the Raiders a scary team are the upgrades on defense.
They were able to bring in savvy veterans like Casey Hayward, Quinton Jefferson, Solomon Thomas, and Yannick Ngakoue.
Las Vegas is also getting defensive tackle Gerald McCoy who did not crack the Dallas Cowboys roster last season.
Derek Carr is confident in his football longevity 🔮 pic.twitter.com/BuolOXlalV
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 11, 2021
As the offense rack up the points, the new players on defense will help shut down their opponents.
That balance may help the Raiders reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Once they taste success, the franchise will want to keep the core intact.
Therefore, re-signing Carr will be a front office priority, or their stint as contenders will be short-lived.
His next contract will make him a warrior of the black and silver for life.
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