There’s a lot of changes with the Raiders. If there’s an organization that should be used to it, it’s this one. The latest change has the Raiders moving from Oakland to Las Vegas. While their brand new home is being completed, Las Vegas (still getting used to saying this) starts their season on the road in Carolina.
Derek Carr is at a crossroads in his career that could see him as the next big change if he doesn’t perform up to head coach Jon Gruden’s expectation. In typical Raiders fashion, Marcus Mariota was given an above market contract ($7.5M) to push Carr yet he starts the season hurt. With no preseason and no competition, Carr is out of excuses.
This is his third year under Gruden (7th overall) and the coach is confident that this is finally his roster. With that belief, Carr can’t be the reason why Gruden’s Raiders doesn’t meet his expectations. Last season, the Raiders finished the year 7-9. Despite Carr setting career highs in several categories, he was 16th in red zone passing. Overall the Raiders were 22nd in red zone touchdowns percentage. It’s the reason why the Raiders only averaged 19.6 points per game as they finished the season losing five or their last six and failed to make the playoffs.
This year many consider the Raiders offensive line one of the best in the league. GM Mike Mayock selected two wide receivers in the draft Henry Ruggs III and Bryan Edwards in the first and third rounds, respectively, and signed veteran tight end Jason Witten. Add those new weapons to running Josh Jacobs and the Raiders should improve offensively this season.
Fair or unfair, if the Raider miss the playoffs, Carr is as good as gone. The opener against Carolina represents the first game in a season that will determine Carr’s future.
