Derek Carr failed the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022

After a huge off-season, the stage was set for the Raiders in 2022. Instead, the team was let down by its franchise quarterback, Derek Carr.

In 2021 the Las Vegas Raiders were one of the biggest stories in the NFL. After various controversies that cost them their head coach, number one wide receiver, and another former first-round pick, the team would rally to make the playoffs anyway.

While they would lose their only postseason game, the team entered the off-season with clear potential.

In an attempt to build on that potential, the Raiders immediately went to work. First, they acquired one of the NFL’s most accomplished play-callers in Josh McDaniels to be their new head coach. With a clear focus on the offense, they made a massive trade to acquire the NFL’s best wide receiver Davante Adams.

In addition to giving both Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow contract extensions, the Raiders gave their starting quarterback, Derek Carr, a three-year extension of his own. A sign of trust from a new front office and coaching staff, the plan was for Carr to continue being the franchise quarterback as he had been for the previous eight seasons.

As mentioned, the Raiders secured a playoff performance in 2021. Much of this was due to Carr making do in an offense that was nearly devoid of talent. Despite this, he and the Raiders took the eventual AFC Champions down to the wire in the wild-card round. Fresh off a new contract and the addition of his best friend and elite wideout Adams, expectations were incredibly high for the Silver and Black in 2022.