Derek Carr has been the Raiders’ starting quarterback for six straight years. Coming off one of the best seasons of his career, the signal caller should be under center for the team in Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season.

But there is at least some doubt that Carr will remain atop the Raiders’ depth chart when the team moves to Las Vegas.

Marcus Mariota signed with the Raiders in free agency, agreeing to a two-year, $17.6 million contract. Mariota will earn $7.5 million next season, making him an extremely expensive backup.

Carr has three years left on a five-year, $125 million contract. Very little of that money is guaranteed.

FanDuel Sportsbook makes Carr an overwhelming favorite to be the Raiders’ starter in Week 1 with -450 odds. Mariota is given +310 betting odds to be Las Vegas’ quarterback in the season opener.

An injury would be the most likely reason that Carr isn’t on the field in Week 1. If Mariota becomes Las Vegas’ starter based on performance, it probably wouldn’t happen until later in the season.

Mariota lost his starting job with the Tennessee Titans in 2019 after a 2-4 start. The veteran completed 59.4% of his passes for 1,203 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. Mariota had a competent 92.3 passer rating, but the Titans only averaged 11 points per game in his last five starts.

Mariota had a winning record in three of his five seasons as Tennessee’s quarterback.

Carr completed 70.4% of his passes for 4,054 yards, 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2019. He had a career-best 100.8 passer rating. The Raiders ranked 11th in total offense in their final season in Oakland.

The Raiders only finished 24th in points scored. The team lost five of its final six games for a 7-9 record. Carr is 39-55 as a starter since entering the league in 2014. There have been rumors that head coach Jon Gruden wants to explore a potential quarterback change.

Las Vegas was considered a Tom Brady suitor before the 42-year-old signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Raiders reportedly might draft a quarterback with one of their first-round picks.

Derek Carr Oakland Raiders
Derek Carr #4 walks onto the field after Matt McCrane #3 of the Oakland Raiders kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime against the Cleveland Browns at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 30, 2018 in Oakland, California. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
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