Charles Woodson: Derek Carr will be quarterback of the Las Vegas Raiders
Charles Woodson is a believer in Derek Carr.
The former Oakland Raiders star was a guest on the Rich Eisen show on Wednesday and was asked by Eisen if Carr will be the starting quarterback in Week 1 next season when the team is in Las Vegas.
“I think it’ll be Derek,” Woodson said. “I don’t see them moving on from Derek Carr at this point. I don’t see that scenario. I could see the team getting another quarterback, maybe through the draft or what not. Maybe bring some competition, but Derek Carr is a good quarterback. I don’t how anybody would see otherwise and I don’t see how you know at this point how anybody would come to the conclusion that Derek wouldn’t be the quarterback.”
The Raiders gave up a 16-3 lead to the Jacksonville Jaguars and lost 20-16 in the home finale Sunday at RingCentral Coliseum.
Woodson said Carr is the reason why the Raiders were up 16-3 before the defense gave up the winning touchdown.
Woodson took exception to the postgame boos that came down on Carr.
“Everybody is to blame for anything that doesn’t go well on a team and I know Derek Carr can play the game of football. I stand behind the kid’s play and I think he’s done very well for the Raiders,” he said.
Woodson was around when Rich Gannon joined the Raiders in 1999. Gannon spent three seasons playing for Gruden, then led the Raiders to the Super Bowl the season after Gruden left (2002).
Woodson said Gruden “got the best out of Rich Gannon because their relationship was the way it was and and I’m sure again Gannon appreciated it because we had the best years in Oakland.
“I believe the same thing could happen happen to Derek Carr, and I think if you give up on him too soon I don’t think you’ll be able to get the best out of him.”
Gannon was in his 12th NFL season when he arrived in Oakland. Carr finishes his sixth season with road games at the Los Angeles Chargers and at Denver.
This story was originally published December 20, 2019 at 10:31 AM.
