Las Vegas Raiders: 3 reasons Derek Carr will exceed expectations in 2021

Las Vegas Raiders: 3 reasons Derek Carr will exceed expectations in 2021

He has mastered Gruden’s offense

It is Year 4 of the Derek Carr and Jon Gruden marriage, and while every media outlet had them getting divorced by now, here we are. The truth is, this is a relationship that has worked from the get-go, and entering his fourth season in the same offense, Carr has not only improved within his statistics, but he has mastered the complicated offense, becoming another coach on the field.

There is a lot to be said about being comfortable in a system, and with a head coach, something Derek Carr was not afforded during his first few seasons in the league. He went through numerous offensive coordinators and head coaches before Gruden’s arrival, and the team has improved in wins from 2018 to 2019 and 2020.

This is a crucial year, however, for both Gruden and Carr, as it is time to start being a perennial playoff contender after so much money spent in free agency, and high-level draft picks. Derek Carr has the weapons, and support to push the narrative around him in a positive way, and I believe that happens in 2021.

Las Vegas Raiders Game Monday: Raiders vs. Baltimore Ravens odds and prediction for NFL Week 1 game

The Raiders kick off their 2021 regular season against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night, in the first game in front of fans inside Allegiant Stadium.

Carr is the least of the Raiders problems this season, and if the offensive line gels, there is no reason why he will not be leading a top-5 offense in 2021. He has accomplished a lot in terms of his statistical achievements to date, but in 2021, he will exceed the expectation that he is limited, leading the Raiders to their second playoff berth since 2002.