Raiders QB Derek Carr on winning a playoff game, the AFC West, and more

With Derek Carr’s extension now in place, the Las Vegas Raiders are ready to return to the playoffs, but as their quarterback made clear, they’re looking to do more than just make it there.

The Raiders are all in on Carr, and this week, they proved it by assuring him he’ll be around for at least another three years with a no-trade clause as the cherry on top. The new regime being spearheaded by head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler made it known they weren’t interested in scrapping last year’s squad in favor of a “rebuild.”

Quite the opposite, the organization secured Carr’s services along with adding Davante Adams, Chandler Jones, and Rock Ya-Sin. Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby was also extended earlier this offseason.

You don’t reload a roster this way unless you believe you can win with Carr. As far as expectations go, that depends on who you ask. Before Raider Nation gets illusions of grandeur such as Super Bowl aspirations, their team has to win a playoff game.

The fact that the team survived a turbulent 2021 campaign and still rallied to clinch a postseason berth is admirable and, in retrospect, a miracle.