Raiders answer to their Derek Carr problem is painfully obvious

The Las Vegas Raiders lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers late in Week 16, and quarterback Derek Carr played a role in it. If the Raiders opt to move on from Carr, there is one obvious replacement.

The Las Vegas Raiders have recently been on a roll, winning four of their previous five games before Week 16. That helped them stay in the playoff picture, but they needed some help down the stretch to make it a reality. All they needed to do was win out.

Instead, the Raiders blew a 10-6 lead with just seconds remaining in regulation after Kenny Pickett orchestrated a 76-yard drive, culminating in a 14-yard touchdown reception by rookie wide receiver George Pickens.

The Raiders still had all their timeouts, so they could get into field goal range to try and force overtime. The problem is, quarterback Derek Carr threw a wild pass that went past intended target Hunter Refrow and into the hands of Steelers cornerback Cam Sutton.

Carr needed to play at the top of his game, much like he did last year when they made their run to a Wild Card berth. Instead, he threw for 174 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions while completing 16-of-30 pass attempts in the 13-10 loss.

This performance from Carr isn’t going to instill much confidence in the Raiders fanbase. Not to mention, the team does have a decision to make after this season regarding Carr, and he could very well be moving on.

There’s one obvious choice for Raiders to replace Derek Carr

Carr did sign a three-year, $121.5 million contract extension this past offseason. However, the Raiders can move on from him via release or trade him, but it will have to come before Feb. 15, the day after Super Bowl 57. That’s because $40 million (2023 salary and $7 million of 2024 salary) becomes fully guaranteed.

While the new regime of general manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels extended Carr, they can choose to move on to another option. One of the obvious names to replace Carr is Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

When it comes to Rodgers, he has been vocal about the future of his playing career. This year, the Green Bay Packers are still alive in the playoff chase, but it has been far from pretty, as their 6-8 record indicates entering Week 16. They do, after all, have a younger wide receiver corps to work with after trading Davante Adams to the Raiders in the offseason.

Plus, the Packers do have a decision to make regarding Jordan Love’s fifth-year option.

This is all hypothetical. If the Packers and Rodgers agree to move on and if he still wants to play, the Raiders are an obvious fit. The main reason? Rodgers would reunite with Adams, as they both had incredible chemistry during their time together on the Packers. Not to mention, the team would have the cap space to take on his contract if they acquire him via trade.

Again, all hypothetical. But with the Raiders looking bound to miss the playoffs, Carr’s status with the team could very well be worth monitoring once the season ends.