Derek Carr used Jon Gruden’s wife in an audible (Video)

Derek Carr played well on Sunday, but he may have gotten on Jon Gruden’s bad side

Some rules of natural hierarchy don’t need to be said, even in sports. Yet, Derek Carr opted to poke the bear. During Sunday’s win over the Carolina Panthers, Carr used head coach Jon Gruden’s wife in an audible. The real-life equivalent of this to the every-man is accidentally hitting ‘reply all’ on a private, not-so-kind message about your superiors. You just don’t do it, even jokingly.

Carr’s made enough money in his NFL career to think otherwise. The power dynamic on the Las Vegas Raiders puts Gruden squarely in charge, as he’s signed through the next decade for upwards of $100 million. He’s making quarterback money, which Carr knows a thing or two about.

Gruden took the joke in stride, probably because he knows Carr’s future lies in his hands

Gruden has yet to commit to Carr as the long-term option behind center. While he can say all the right things at press conferences, there’s a reason the Raiders were in on Tom Brady this offseason. For what it’s worth, Carr played well through this distraction against Carolina.

“Derek played great. Derek Carr played a super football game yesterday. No sacks, no interceptions and 34 points. He did a great job throwing the ball accurately in tight windows and made some great plays for us,” Gruden said, while stating that the team wasn’t considering a QB change.

Carr made three straight Pro Bowls from 2015-17, but has struggled since with injuries. If he can return to that Pro Bowl form, Gruden won’t feel the need to move on. It’s that simple.