Raiders HC Josh McDaniels again backs Derek Carr as starting QB

The Las Vegas Raiders have fully moved on from the Jon Gruden era. They now have Dave Ziegler as general manager and ex-New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as head coach. 

While speaking in early February, McDaniels backed quarterback Derek Carr as "our leader." The 30-year-old is on the cusp of entering the final year of his contract amid rumors the Raiders could shop him and potentially go big-game hunting for Green Bay Packers starter Aaron Rodgers. 

According to Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk, McDaniels told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday the Raiders haven't yet begun contract talks with Carr but also indicated his QB1 is already atop his depth chart. 

"No specific things relative to extending that at this point. But that doesn’t mean it’s not going to change," McDaniels explained. "We are aware of where we’re at on that and that process. I think we’re just trying to get everything kind of set now in the building. Our staff, this has been a big chunk of this first three or four weeks is trying to put the right people in place here. I’ve met and spoken to Derek a number of times now, just trying to begin our relationship. I think it’s really an important one — the head coach, the play-caller, the quarterback — getting to know one another as people. Kind of how we think, how we work. The football part of that will come later, which I think is also an important part of the puzzle.

"But really happy with the opportunity that I’ve had to get to know him. He’s there in Nevada, he stays there in Nevada. So we’re aware of where things are and, again, as I said when I was introduced, I’m really looking forward to working with him. He’s won a lot of games. I feel good about what we can do with Derek as our quarterback." 

McDaniels and Ziegler may not publicly admit Carr is their best option for at least 2022 largely because of reports and comments suggesting neither Rodgers nor Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks is going anywhere this spring. 

Meanwhile, it seems as if Tom Brady will either play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or not at all later this year following his announced retirement.