Why is Mark Davis smiling? Because he's really happy that Derek Carr is the Raiders' starting QB. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Las Vegas Raiders signed Marcus Mariota this offseason despite already having Derek Carr, but Mark Davis’ stance on Carr still has not changed.

Speaking with reporters this week, the Raiders owner offered his continued vote of confidence to Carr, the team’s longtime starting quarterback.

“You can’t discount the continuity between Derek and [head coach] Jon [Gruden],” he said, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. “The longer they’re together, the more osmosis there is. There’s a legitimacy to all of it. Jon has a trust in him, and [Carr] works hard and he’s very, very smart. I think it’s all positive, but you still have to play the damn game.”

Carr, the three-time Pro Bowler, has been the starter for the Raiders since 2014. He topped 4,000 passing yards last season with an excellent 70.4 completion percentage, but the Raiders still went 7-9, giving Carr a losing record in five of his six seasons as their QB1.

The signing of Mariota only added to the questions about Carr’s hold on the starting job as well as his relationship with Gruden. But Davis is not the only one stressing that all is well with Carr before their first season in Las Vegas.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Mets release veteran infielder
Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen will finish off their trilogy in a boxing ring
Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren highlight 2023-24 All-Rookie team
Jaguars' Doug Pederson discusses Trevor Lawrence contract extension
Saints, star CB 'moving forward' following trade chatter
Pacers ride historic shooting performance to Game 7 blowout of Knicks
Timberwolves mount incredible second-half comeback to stun Nuggets in Game 7
Xander Schauffele proves doubters wrong with historic win at 2024 PGA Championship
Four things we learned from Joey Logano's All-Star Race win at North Wilkesboro
Phil Foden lifts Manchester City to fourth consecutive English Premier League title
Watch: Aaron Judge blasts 13th home run in Yankees' seventh straight win
Canucks won't have linchpin forward for Game 7 vs. Oilers
Jags reportedly mulling extension for Trevor Lawrence, but is that the right choice?
Gordon Hayward calls role with Thunder 'frustrating'
Mets reliever Edwin Diaz showing short shelf life of closers
Three offseason moves the 49ers must make
Watch: NASCAR drivers exchange punches after crash in All-Star Race
Knicks star offers passionate defense of HC Tom Thibodeau after Game 7 loss
Knicks' Jalen Brunson suffers serious injury in Game 7 vs. Pacers
Dodgers add recently acquired left-hander to active roster

Want more Raiders news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.