NFL insider lists Raiders QB Derek Carr as dark horse MVP candidate: Here’s why

In his latest column, FanSided’s Matt Verderame advises the NFL not to “sleep on Derek Carr as a potential MVP candidate,” even in a talent-laden AFC West.

Raiders fans are well-aware that Derek Carr doesn’t usually get his due credit — but even a fan of an AFC West rival is willing to admit that Carr has a solid chance at winning MVP this year.

FanSided NFL insider Matt Verderame elaborated on why Derek Carr is a dark horse candidate for NFL MVP, contending with the likes of Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes for this year’s award:

“Don’t sleep on Derek Carr as a potential MVP candidate.

It might seem a bizarre take, but Carr has a few factors in his favor. First, the Raiders have an incredible host of weapons including receivers Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow, and tight end Darren Waller. They also have a horrific defense on paper — save the edge rushers — which means Carr will likely be throwing a ton.

Additionally, the AFC West is the best division in football. If Carr wins it over Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Russell Wilson, he’s going to get national acclaim. This is especially true playing for the Raiders, who are one of the greatest brands in sports.

Is Carr a frontrunner for the award? Of course not, he’s the fourth-best quarterback in his own division. But if the Raiders are good this year and make a run, he might have the combination of huge stats and a great team season.”

NFL insider lists Raiders quarterback Derek Carr as potential MVP candidate

Although the AFC West is a talent-laden division — and Verderame still considers Carr its fourth-best quarterback — this upcoming year has the potential to be the best one of Carr’s career.

Still, Carr has never been a “bad” quarterback, although his team has not managed to make the playoffs as often as the franchise would hope. The Broncos and Chiefs have been dominating the division for the past decade, which makes a significant difference for a team that hasn’t quite had all the pieces together. But with an offense now featuring the likes of Davante Adams, Darren Waller, Hunter Renfrow and Josh Jacobs — not to mention a pass rush equipped with Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones — the Raiders are certainly poised for a potential AFC West takeover.

And as Verderame said, Derek Carr has certainly been slept on throughout his entire NFL career. Carr is one of only four NFL quarterbacks to rack up 4,000+ passing yards in the past four seasons.

Despite this, Carr was recently snubbed on a viral Top 10 QB ranking issued by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

In April, Raiders tight end Darren Waller sung the praises of his longtime teammate during an interview with FanSided.

Everyone is willing to admit that Carr has the talent to win the most lauded quarterback award next year— looks like Fowler may have to amend his list.