Raiders news: Derek Carr listed among dark-horse NFL MVP candidates

NFL.com’s Adam Schein listed nine players he feels are dark-horse MVP candidates in 2020 and unsurprisingly Las Vegas Raiders QB Derek Carr is on the list

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is entering what many see as a year that will define the rest of his career. If he rises to the occasion and leads the Raiders to the playoffs then he will likely be the franchise quarterback for the foreseeable future.

If he slips and is unable to galvanize the Silver and Black in their first year in Las Vegas, then the Raiders have a ready made replacement for him already on the team in Marcus Mariota. Carr has been the unquestioned starter since his rookie year in 2014 and has become an incredibly divisive figure among Raider Nation.

Simply search the term “Derek Carr” on Twitter and you’ll see swaths of Raider fans across the country extolling his stats or accomplishments while many others have less pleasant things to say about him. Both sides are entitled to their opinions on the Raiders all-time leading passer but one thing is clear, NFL.com’s Adam Schein is a big fan.

NFL.com published an article written by Schein where he lists nine players that he feels are dark-horse MVP candidates coming in to the 2020 season. Derek Carr was fourth on the list behind Buffalo’s Josh Allen, Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield, and Dallas’s Ezekiel Elliott. Here is what he had to say about Carr:

"I was honored to be part of “The Carr Six” — the half-dozen AP voters who entered Derek’s name on the MVP ballot back in 2016. He was superb that season before breaking his leg in Oakland’s Christmas Eve win — a devastating injury that prevented the 12-4 Raiders from realizing their potential in the postseason. I know he has it in him. Honestly, it feels like I like Carr more than the Raiders do. But Carr knows this is a critical year, with Marcus Mariota now breathing down his neck.I think the former second-round pick rises to the occasion. I foresee Carr maximizing first-round burner Henry Ruggs III early and often. I envision the Raiders surprising some people this year, with Carr being the main reason why.Source: NFL.com"

Derek Carr was indeed superb during that 2016 season and the Raiders had a chance at the 2-seed in the AFC and the AFC West division crown before he broke his leg against the Indianapolis Colts. 2016 was not Carr’s best statistical season but the Raiders were winning games in dramatic fashion and he was at the heart of many of those victories.

Matt Ryan and Tom Brady were always going to finish 1-2 in MVP voting but many voters would have had trouble ignoring the narrative of Carr leading the Raiders back to glory. Even with his injury he still garnered some votes for the show he put on as the Raiders went 12-3 with him as the starter.

At this point the Raiders have given Derek Carr everything he needs to succeed. They have bolstered an already solid offensive line and have provided weapons at every offensive skill position through the draft and free agency. He has the full backing of the Raiders staff and seems to be a beloved figure in the locker room.

With all of the weapons around him, the Raiders don’t need Derek Carr to play at an MVP level, they need him to just win, baby.