It's Now or Never for Derek Carr and the Raiders

The 2021 NFL season could be Derek Carr’s final chance to prove that he's worthy of being starting quarterback in the league.

Whispers were already circulating during the offseason that the Las Vegas Raiders may consider trading for a guy like Aaron Rodgers, or selecting a rookie quarterback in the NFL Draft, but now all signs point toward Carr being their guy for at least one more season.

Carr has been the Raiders quarterback since 2014, and while his numbers have been solid year in and year out, he’s lacking in the most important statistic: wins.

The Las Vegas (formally Oakland) Raiders have been to the playoffs only once since Carr took over as the starting quarterback, and it resulted in a 2016 wildcard round loss to the Houston Texans.

With a 47-63 record as the Raiders starting quarterback, it’s time to put up or shut up for Carr.

"I'd probably quit football if I had to play for somebody else ... I'd rather go down with the ship, if I have to," Carr told reporters this offseason.

As loyal as Carr is, don’t bet on the Raiders to share the same feelings if they don’t return to the postseason this year.

The 30-year old is listed at +7500 odds on WynnBET to be named NFL’s MVP, which shows that oddsmakers don’t have faith that Carr will deliver in 2021.

WynnBET also has the Raiders’ win total set at 6.5 for the upcoming season, and even if they hit the over by one or two games, it won’t be enough to make the postseason in the NFL’s new 17-game schedule. This is further supported by their odds to make the playoffs, which is set at +350, an implied probability of 22.22%.

While Carr may think that he’ll be a Raider for life, he’ll need to step up his game and lead the Raiders to more wins in 2021 if he wants to make that dream a reality.