With a 12-4 regular season campaign squarely in the rearview mirror, let's look back at the play of the Oakland Raiders quarterbacks in 2016.
Overview:It kind of seems like there were two seasons for the Silver and Black in 2016; everything that happened before Carr broke his fibula in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts, and then the two-plus games following his injury.
At the times of Carr's season-ending injury, the Raiders were 11-3, and were just a few weeks away from making their first playoff appearance since 2002, then, on that fateful 2nd and 22, as the Raiders starting quarterback – and MVP candidate – was taken to the ground by Colts linebacker Trent Cole, it all changed.
From there, you remember what happened.
Matt McGloin finished out the eventual win over the Colts, and then started the regular season finale on the road against the Denver Broncos, but the veteran signal-caller suffered an injury of his own that thrust rookie quarterback Connor Cook into the spotlight.
Cook started the Raiders postseason game against the Houston Texans – becoming the first rookie to make his first career start in the postseason – although the Silver and Black eventually fell to the AFC South champions 24-17.
In his two appearances in 2016, Cook finished 32 of 66 for 311 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions.
By The Numbers:In 2016, Carr posted a 102.5 passer rating when the Raiders were trailing, which was good for third in the NFL.
Going Forward:If you didn't know already, it became abundantly clear when Carr went down against the Colts that No. 4 is the leader, both on and off the field, for the Silver and Black.
In his third season as a pro, Carr blossomed into a viable MVP candidate, and with him at the helm, the Raiders boasted one of the best and most potent offenses in the NFL.
Plain and simple, the Raiders looked poised to make a run deep into the postseason with Carr under center, but without him leading the offense, that simply wasn't the case.
Heading into 2017, Carr still has one year left on his rookie contract, but the same cannot be said for his primary backup Matt McGloin.
McGloin is set to hit the free agent market this offseason, and as an unrestricted free agent he is free to sign wherever he so chooses.
Cook, on the other hand, is under contract for 2017 and beyond.
Standout Performer:No surprises here, it's Derek Carr.
Not only was "DC" far and away the best quarterback on the Raiders in 2016, but he was one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, period.
Even though Carr didn't play the final game of the 2016 regular season or in the playoffs, he still finished his year with 3,937 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and an equally impressive seven fourth quarter comebacks.
Carr was spectacular prior to his injury, and heading into 2017, the expectation is that No. 4 will be healthy and ready to go for the Silver and Black.
