Lowered salary cap would affect Las Vegas Raiders in a big way in 2021
The Quarterbacks
Let us start with the biggest elephant in the room, and that is seventh-year starting quarterback Derek Carr. Coming off one of his best statistical seasons of his career, and really becoming the leader of the franchise this offseason, Carr is in line to have a monster season in 2020, his third in Jon Gruden’s offense.
Last year, Carr threw for over 4,000 yards for the second straight season, and finished second to only Drew Brees in terms of completion percentage. This offseason, the Raiders went out and got him some elite weapons, so the pressure is really on him to get this team back to the playoffs.
In addition, the franchise brought in a legitimate backup in Marcus Mariota, a former No. 2 overall pick who has actually beaten the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs before.
Looking at their cap hits for 2021, they combine for over $32 million, with Carr slated to make over $22 million, and Mariota $10.1 Carr has a dead cap hit of $2.5 million, but Mariota has $0, so that means there is even more pressure for Carr to live up to the big contract he signed a few years back.