Dec 20, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws a pass during the first half against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Las Vegas Raiders: Derek Carr Embraces Ashton Jeanty Despite Rivalry Background

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Rex Villas | Last updated Jul 13, 2025 9:56 AM ET

Derek Carr has already decided to hang up his cleats in the offseason, announcing his retirement from football as a player last May. Injuries played a major part in the former Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints quarterback’s decision.

But even though he’s no longer in the game, he still seems to be keeping an eye on his former team, particularly the Raiders, who are now coached by Pete Carroll. After all, the Raiders are close to Carr’s heart, having played his first nine years in the NFL with the franchise, dating back to its Oakland days.

Carr, appeared in a total of 142 games in the regular season with the Raiders, pasing for 35,222 yards and 217 touchdowns with 99 interceptions on a 64.6 percent completion rate. While the Raiders didn’t enjoy much playoff success with Carr, he was among the notable quarterbacks of his generation during his stint with the team, with whom he earned a total of four Pro Bowl nods.

Carr welcomes Ashton Jeanty to Las Vegas Raiders family

Apr 25, 2025; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders first round draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft Ashton Jeanty, speaks to the media at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images

In a recent interview, Carr shared some of his thoughts on what he sees in the Raiders in the 2025 NFL season under Carroll, stating that Las Vegas’ ground attack will be a focus by the team on offense because of the personnel it has, including rookie running back Ashton Jeanty.

Carr, who played for the Fresno State Bulldogs before turning pro in 2014, also welcomed Jeanty to Raiders Nation despite the running back coming from a rival Mountain West Conference school in the collegiate ranks.

“I love Pete Carroll, Carr said (h/t Shannon Kelly of Nevada Sports Net). “On offense, you know they’re gonna run the football, obviously with their draft pick, even though he’s a Boise State Bronco, I’ll look past that he’s a Raider now so we’re family.”

The Raiders are expected to feature Jeanty a lot in this rookie season after they took him in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2025 NFL draft. Last season, Jeanty totaled 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns on 374 carries with the Broncos.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs past Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Kobe King (41) during their Vrbo Fiesta Bowl matchup at State Farm Stadium on Dec. 31, 2024.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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