Keyshawn Johnson lost his mind and said Derek Carr is elite

On ESPN’s First Take, Keyshawn Johnson included Las Vegas Raiders QB Derek Carr in his list of “elite” quarterbacks in the NFL.

Keyshawn Johnson had a lot of people looking like the blinking guy meme on Wednesday during his appearance on ESPN’s First Take.

Talking with Stephen A. Smith about elite quarterbacks in the NFL, Johnson dropped a double-take-worthy take.

“I like Derek Carr, but that’s just me,” Johnson said. “Three years ago he was an MVP candidate…[The Raiders] are not losing because of him. They’re losing because of the damn defense.”

When Smith pressed him on including Carr in the “elite” category with Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes and Russell Wilson, Johnson insisted Carr is in that group for him.

Is Derek Carr an elite quarterback as Keyshawn Johnson says?

This is a moment ESPN could use a touch of nuance. That’s asking a lot, sure, but there’s a difference between being “elite” and being better than your reputation might suggest.

It seems like Johnson is arguing for the latter by doubling down on the former.

Carr is not an elite quarterback. He’s better than average, but if you plugged him into the Bucs, Packers, Chiefs or Seahawks all four of those teams would be worse off. He’s Tier 2, and that’s okay. Tier 2 and 3 quarterbacks have won Super Bowls. He’s just not elite.