Derek Carr is learning the hard way that the life of a rookie quarterback is not always easy. After the quarterback was thrown into the starting role following an injury to Matt Schaub, he has put up inconsistent numbers and has failed to record a win for the Oakland Raiders through nine weeks of the season. Carr looks like the franchise answer one minute and a struggling rookie the next. Could the Oakland Raiders be looking for better insurance next season should Carr continue to struggle?
The Matt Schaub experiment has clearly failed in Oakland. The Raiders continue to pay the veteran quarterback $10 million to simply hold a clipboard. The original plan was to start Schaub and let Carr develop for a season or two, but an elbow injury put the rookie under center Week 1. The result has been a 14-game losing streak for the Raiders, a firing of the head coach and no improvement in sight.
"This game is hard," Carr said, per Marcus Thompson of the Mercury News. "That's what I'm learning - it's hard. It's hard to win. It's hard to go to work every day, and all those things. But just because of how I was raised, and the kind of person I am and what I believe, it's not going to be a problem. I promise you it's not ruining me."
The Raiders will likely let go of Schaub in the offseason along with third-string quarterback Matt McGloin. So what do the Raiders do if Carr continues to struggle in the offense. The likelihood they draft someone like Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota is slim. Yes, the temptation will be there, but Carr has enough potential to hold off on that type of move for at least a season or two. The Raiders have some many other holes to fill that drafting a quarterback in the first round would be a waste. So could a trade be a better option?
There are plenty of backup quarterbacks getting a chance to prove themselves in the coming weeks of the NFL seasons. Injuries have forced several names into the spotlight as many quarterbacks are looking to prove themselves worthy of a starting spot for the future. Mark Sanchez is replacing the injured Nick Foles. After a successful three quarters last week, hope is high the trend continues. Ryan Mallett is replacing Ryan Fitzpatrick after years of sitting behind Tom Brady. He is looking to show why he deserves a new contract and new starting spot with a team. Colt McCoy looked good in two games for the Washington Redskins getting the team two of their three wins on the year.
The Raiders have options that do not involve forcing Carr back into the starting spot for another season. The quarterback could be a true talent if the Raiders surrounded him with talent. But, the team has a struggling ground game, no true No. 1 wide receiver and an offensive line that continues to give up sacks. Carr needs time and Oakland needs a quarterback which might make a trade the best available move.