Can the Las Vegas Raiders really compete in the AFC?

The unbelievable offseason in the AFC West continues.

We saw yet another blockbuster deal in the division this week, as the Las Vegas Raiders signed quarterback Derek Carr to a three-year extension worth more than $121 million.

The deal means the 31-year-old becomes the seventh player in the NFL to make over $40 million a year, with Carr’s new contract tying him down in Las Vegas through to the 2025 season.

It ends months of speculation over his future. With just two quarterbacks currently on the roster, everything was pointing towards the Raiders drafting a QB this year.

But new general manger Dave Ziegler has made it clear that Carr is their man going forward.

Of his new deal, Carr told reporters: “I’ve only wanted to be a Raider. And I told my agent, ‘I’m either gonna be a Raider or I’m gonna be playing golf. I don’t want to play anywhere else.’

“That’s how much this place means to me. I had one year left on my contract. If it was one year, well, then it was gonna be one year. Thankfully, it’ll be four more. Hopefully, we can build on that, and I can finish and just do what I set out to do nine years ago: And that is to win a championship.”

The Raiders have gone all out to please Carr this offseason. On top of the extension, they acquired Davante Adams in March, a teammate of Carr during college, in a huge trade with the Green Bay Packers.

And with multiple additions including star rusher Chandler Jones and defensive tackle Bilal Nichols, the Raiders are building a very competitive roster for the upcoming season.

There’s a long way to go in 2022, but it’s already shaping up to be a more positive and hopefully less turbulent year in Las Vegas.

Is Derek Carr the most underrated QB in the NFL?

The Raiders selected Derek Carr in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, after years of problems at quarterback.

He threw for almost 7,300 yards and 53 touchdowns in his first two years, earning a Pro Bowl selection in just his second season.

His eight years as an NFL quarterback have been solid, but he’ll be looking to really kick on following the contract extensions.

The last two seasons have been arguably his most impressive. In fact, in 2021, Carr enjoyed statistically his best year to date, hitting career high numbers in completions and passing yards.

The three-time Pro Bowler has thrown for at least 4,000 yards in each of the past four seasons and averages 24 touchdown passes a year since entering the league.

Of course, there have been ups and downs with Carr and the Raiders relationship.

Injuries and constant media scrutiny have always been a hinderance for Carr, made worse by some shocking selections in recent drafts by the Raiders, as well as some off-the-field controversies surrounding the team.

And does an eight year pro with zero playoff wins really deserve a $40 million a year contract? He might not be as electric as someone like Patrick Mahomes or as accurate as Aaron Rodgers, but he’s certainly consistent.

Carr is a proven leader and an effective game changer. No quarterback has had more game-winning drives in the NFL than Carr since 2015.

So is it fair to say he’s underrated? Undoubtedly.

In a league where elite quarterbacks are hard to come by, Carr can compete with the very best in his position.

And if the Raiders can finally give their quarterback the support he deserves, there is no reason why Carr can’t take them deep into the playoffs in the years to come.

Can the Raiders really make a challenge in the playoffs this year?

Let’s be realistic here. Even without the obvious roster improvements this offseason, many still consider the Raiders as the weakest team in the AFC West.

Two of their divisional rivals, the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers, have both made significant roster improvements this offseason.

The Broncos solved their QB conundrum by trading for Russell Wilson, while the Chargers have made some ground-breaking additions with the acquisitions of Khalil Mack and J.C. Jackson.

And for the Kansas City Chiefs? Well, despite losing Tyreek Hill, they’ve still got their magician in Mahomes.

As a result, it’s going to be extremely tricky for the Raiders to even get out their division this season, let alone win the Super Bowl.

Nonetheless, the Broncos still have problems that lie deeper than at quarterback, and the Chargers lack playoff experience.

And there is arguably no better team at overcoming any obstacles or adversity than the Raiders.

The Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills are probably the only two teams in the AFC who clearly have a better roster than the Raiders.

After that, it’s difficult to place a team with conviction higher than Las Vegas.

Carr still has to prove himself as a postseason quarterback. But there is no doubt he has the ability to lead the Raiders to success.

He’s watched the team trade away too many key players in the past. The likes of Khalil Mack to the and Amari Cooper have left when the team was on the verge of success.

Those days look to be ending. Their days of rebuilding are over. It’s all about winning, and winning now for the Raiders.

With Carr and a weaponry arsenal consisting of Adams, Darren Waller, Josh Jacobs and Hunter Renfrow, the Raiders have built up one of the best offenses in the entire league.

And with the likes of Maxx Crosby and new signing Jones on the opposite side of the ball, their defense is also starting to look a lot more competitive.

The Raiders are preparing to mount a genuine championship challenge. Let’s wait and see how they fare going all out for a Super Bowl victory.