Oakland Raiders: Jon Gruden must maximize Derek Carr in 2019

The overplayed storyline is that it’s make-or-break for Derek Carr. In reality, it’s Jon Gruden’s responsibility to maximize all he can from the Oakland Raiders franchise quarterback in 2019.

It’s been wholly apparent that should the Oakland Raiders, and more specifically Jon Gruden, look to bring in a new quarterback under center, there is a path to do so after this season. With one last year playing in the Coliseum, the Raiders will eventually open their new stadium in Las Vegas.

Gruden has made it known that once he arrives in Las Vegas, he likely wants to usher in a competitive team with a roster of his own hand-picked players.

Despite Derek Carr having shown he is a franchise-caliber player, it remains to be seen whether he’ll wear the Silver and Black long-term. By trading for Antonio Brown, fortifying the offensive line with Trent Brown, strengthening the offense with Tyrell Williams and drafting Josh Jacobs, Carr has arguably the best offensive weapons he’s ever had at his disposal.

By throwing the abundance of talent on the offensive side, many concluded that this was Gruden’s way of saying it’s a “make-or-break” season for Derek Carr.

Yes, after struggling last season there is an expectation for Carr to be better in 2019. His struggles were not all his fault (poor offensive line play and a lack of offensive weapons as examples) but he did have a tendency to check-down often.

But in reality, that’s likely what Gruden wanted from him last season. Play it safe, limit turnovers, don’t take any chances if you don’t need to. That can’t be the same mantra this season, and that goes for Carr but even more so for Jon Gruden.

All the roster changes of a year ago, the introduction of Mike Mayock, the acquisitions via free agency, and the young additions via the draft have been due to one thing: Gruden’s desire to win. He’s uttered the words plenty throughout his second Raiders tenure. Last season’s struggles were meant to be a “necessary” step backward.

If this season is meant to be a leap in the right direction, Gruden has to show it in his coaching. He needs to trust in his quarterback. There’s no point in assembling these new offensive talents if you’re not going to unleash them. Carr has shown to have a strong arm, to have the instinct to throw it downfield and allow his receiver to make a play.

Good news: he arguably has the best receiver on the other end now. Antonio Brown can make that play, but first, he needs his quarterback to set him up. Coach Gruden, you have to let Carr set him up.

Carr is smart, he knows when its right to call the play dead and when there’s an opening to take. Gruden is a brilliant offensive mind, and in year two of the same scheme, his quarterback should only improve.

Make-or-break year for Derek Carr? Sure, it depends on a certain point of view. But Carr will only be as good as Gruden sets him up to be. It’s the last year in Oakland, and there’s respectable talent on the offensive side of the ball. Gruden should maximize all he can from number four when at all possible.