"We have to throw the ball better" - Raiders HC Josh McDaniels isn't doing Derek Carr any favors with his latest criticism of team's QB1

Derek Carr isn't having the best 2022 - 2023 season with the Las Vegas Raiders as the team sits with a 6 - 9 record. Head coach Josh McDaniels commented that “everybody can do better” while talking about the team’s decline.

More specifically, he noted a need to be better in the passing game. McDaniels didn't name Carr outright, but it seems clear that's who he's referring to. Here's what McDaniels said after the loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers:

“That’s not good enough, you know what I mean? And for us to be able to win this time of the year and be productive offensively, you have to throw the ball better than what we’ve thrown it at times here over the last month-in-a-half.”

So far this season, Carr has thrown for 3,522 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. The Raiders quarterback is on pace to snap his streak of four straight seasons with 4,000 yards passing.

His 14 interceptions also lead the NFL, matching the amount he threw all of last season. The former Fresno State star has thrown at least two interceptions in three of his last five starts.

In Week 16, Derek Carr threw three interceptions in their 13 - 10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. McDaniels was asked about going to backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham to replace Carr as the Raiders' starting quarterback.

McDaniels responded:

“There’s a possibility that we would do the right thing, regardless of the position.”

Should McDaniels turn to Stidham to supplant Carr, the move could signal the 31-year-old's time with the Raiders is nearing its end.

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Should the Raiders replace Derek Carr with Jared Stidham?

Should Derek Carr be replaced as the Raiders' starting quarterback, it could have financial implications. Carr's $32.9 million salary for next year becomes guaranteed following Super Bowl 57. There's a chance that the franchise has already contemplated whether they want him back next season.

Carr's 2023 salary is also guaranteed due to injury. Avoiding one will probably be a factor in any decision about who starts for the Las Vegas Raiders to close out the season. The three-time Pro Bowler is the Raiders' all-time leader in both passing yards and touchdowns and fifth in games played.

It's hard to see Stidham performing better than Carr. Derek Carr has been a very good QB for Las Vegas and although he isn't considered in the top 10 in his position, they could do a lot worse. If they do decide to replace him, they could well find that out.

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