Raiders QB Derek Carr does not have to be Aaron Rodgers
By Brad Weiss
With all the noise surrounding Raiders WR Davante Adams going backward with Derek Carr as his quarterback, Carr needs to just be himself.
The Las Vegas Raiders should have a special combination this season on the offensive side of the ball, as quarterback Derek Carr finally has a legitimate WR1 on the outside. Not only is Davante Adams one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, and a player you could say is the best, but he is also Carr’s best friend.
Carr and Adams are so close that Davante is the godfather to Carr’s children, so this goes way beyond football.
Recently, retired Green Bay Packers legend Brett Favre made some comments as to what Adams’s production could look like in Las Vegas. Favre stated that Carr is not in the same league as Rodgers, but for Adams to succeed, Carr needs to be himself, and not the future Hall of Famer in Green Bay.
By all accounts, whether it is his skill set, leadership, or statistics, Carr is an above-average signal-caller at the NFL level and a possible top-10 guy at his position group. That is more than good enough for Adams to continue to put up eye-popping numbers, and he could have even gaudier numbers in Las Vegas.
Raiders offensive weapons to benefit Adams in a big way
Quarterback aside, Las Vegas has more elite weapons on the offensive side of the ball than Green Bay has had during Adams’s career there. Adams is playing alongside Hunter Renfrow, the best slot wideout in the NFL, and tight end Darren Waller is arguably the best in the NFL at his position group as well.
Teams are not going to be able to throw the kitchen sink at Adams, as Las Vegas has elite options in the passing game not wearing No. 17. Adams is going to be the No. 1 wideout, that is for sure, but teams will have to figure out a way to stop Renfrow, Wallers, and a multitude of Raiders running backs as well.
The chemistry between Adams and Carr is going to be fun to watch and should lead to outstanding seasons for both players. Of course, the goal is to win games, and to make it back to the playoffs, and in order for Adams to succeed, and the Raiders to win, Carr needs to be Carr, not Aaron Rodgers.