Predicting each NFL teams starting quarterback on opening day 2019

Oakland Raiders: Derek Carr

Under Jon Gruden, no Oakland Raider is safe, and that includes quarterback Derek Carr.  Could Gruden trade Carr for picks in the offseason? Yes, but it still seems highly unlikely. Carr put up over 4,000 yards this season but had very pedestrian numbers in a 4-12 season.

After a 6-10 record in 2017, Gruden came into Oakland and broke down a lot of the team. The word “tanking” isn’t regularly used in the NFL, but it appears that is what the Raiders did. Carr did not have much talent around him, especially after losing Amari Cooper mid-season.

Now, Gruden must use the picks he accumulated for Cooper and Khalil Mack to retool the Raiders roster and surround Carr with more talent moving forward. There is always the possibility that Gruden does not see Carr in his long-term plans, but he deserves a chance to start in a better situation.

Carr is just two years removed from going 12-3, and if it wasn’t for a broken leg at the end of the 2016 season, then he may have led Oakland on a postseason run. So the talent is there, and the Raiders should not give up on the Fresno State product quite yet.

If Carr is back, which we believe he will be, and struggles in 2019, then don’t be surprised to see Gruden move on from him. But with a better situation around him next season, don’t be surprised if Carr turns things around and plays at a high level.