Derek Carr: 3 reasons the Raiders QB will have an MVP-caliber 2022 season

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 25: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates during the third quarter of the NFL game between Las Vegas Raiders and Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 25, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 25: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates during the third quarter of the NFL game between Las Vegas Raiders and Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 25, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 12: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders signals before the snap during the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on December 12, 2021, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 12: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders signals before the snap during the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on December 12, 2021, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

Derek Carr: 3 reasons the Raiders QB will have an MVP-caliber 2022 season

New Regime

With the hiring of new head coach Josh McDaniels, the Raiders have established an identity. After serving as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator from 2012-2021, Las Vegas’s commitment clearly lies on the offensive side of the ball. Of course, this is not different than how the Raiders were under Jon Gruden where Derek Carr had his best statistical seasons.

However, McDaniels has some differences that should make the 2022 Raiders offense even better. Specifically, in the red zone where the Vegas offense has routinely struggled. In terms of red zone touchdown scoring percentage in 2021, the Raiders ranked 29th in the NFL. In New England, McDaniels’ group scored a touchdown on over 63% of red-zone trips, good for seventh in the league.

Of course, winning an MVP award has much to do with statistical performance. While Carr threw for over 4,800 yards last season, he only had 23 touchdowns. Converting more red-zone trips into touchdowns will help Carr surpass the 30 touchdown mark for the second time in his career and will be a huge boost to his MVP campaign.