Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is entering a make-or-break 2020 season with the team.
By now, it’s well known that the three-time Pro Bowl signal caller has a contentious relationship with head coach Jon Gruden. Las Vegas also signed former Tennessee Titans No. 2 overall pick Marcus Mariota during the spring to create some competition.
In talking to the media from the Raiders’ new practice facility in Henderson, Carr was asked whether he considered opting out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His response was something.
Derek Carr blasts skeptics, tired of being disrespected
These comments are interesting given that Carr has earned three Pro Bowl trips in six NFL seasons.
Carr, 29, is coming off a 2019 season that saw him throw for north of 4,000 yards with just 21 touchdowns compared to eight interceptions. All said, Carr has thrown just 40 touchdowns in 32 starts over the past two seasons.
Will Derek Carr be the Raiders’ starting quarterback?
At this point, it seems like a foregone conclusion that Carr will be under center when the Raiders open up their inaugural season in Las Vegas in less than five weeks against the Carolina Panthers.
After that, it’s anyone’s best guess. The Raiders can get out from under Carr’s contract following the 2020 season while saving $20 million against the cap.
Given the new economic climate around the NFL due to the ongoing pandemic, the Fresno State star will need a tremendous season to return to the Raiders in 2021. That’s magnified by the fact that Mariota is set to count a mere $10.1 million against the cap next season.
Either way, it seems like the veteran quarterback has a chip on his shoulder heading into the 2020 season. Whether that pays off for the Raiders remains to be seen. For now, he’s certainly on thin ice.