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Derek Carr is not Patrick Mahomes, and doesn’t have to be

By Pete Hernandez III

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs greets quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders after the Chiefs defeated the Raiders 35-3 to win the game at Arrowhead Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs greets quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders after the Chiefs defeated the Raiders 35-3 to win the game at Arrowhead Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 29: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders talks to Derek Carr #4 during a timeout in the fourth quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 29: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders talks to Derek Carr #4 during a timeout in the fourth quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /

Different Offensive Scheme

In Kansas City, it’s no secret that the offense runs through Mahomes. Sure, the Chiefs have multiple weapons like Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Kareem Hunt (in the past) but their success hinges on Patrick Mahomes. Andy Reid had success with Alex Smith under center, but no one is arguing that the offense finally reached its potential with Mahomes leading the way.

Contain Mahomes (like the Colts did in Week 5) and you extremely limit the Chiefs’ offense.

For the Raiders, they don’t need or necessarily want to rely on Derek Carr throwing for 300 to 400+ yards per game. That would look great on the stat sheet, but it won’t always win games. A balanced offense with multiple threats helps move the chains, and we’ve seen that come to fruition threw the first five weeks this season.

That’s why Josh Jacobs is ranked in the top ten in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and rushing yards per game. It’s why Darren Waller is the leader in receptions by a tight end this season, and why Tyrell Williams has a touchdown in every appearance. Jon Gruden wants to control the pace, and leverage every weapon he has.

Does that mean that Carr has to throw for 300+ yards every game? Not necessarily, but in Carr, you have a quarterback that knows the system and better yet, one who knows how to maximize it. Only a franchise quarterback accomplishes that.

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