By a Proud Member of Raider Nation
There comes a point in every fanbase where passion crosses over into contradiction—and sadly, some of our very own Raider fans have hit that mark when it comes to Derek Dallas Carr.
Let’s not beat around the bush here. Recently, I’ve seen too many in this group—yes, this very group—openly say they had no problem with Marshawn Lynch retiring as a Raider. Marshawn. Beast Mode. Fan favorite, culture icon. But let’s take a real look at the numbers. Two years in silver and black. Not even a full 16-game season. Never broke 1,000 yards. His most touchdowns in a single season? Seven.
Now, let’s flip the script.
Derek Carr gave us nine grueling, loyal, record-setting seasons. I don’t need to list his stats—you already know them. You’ve quoted them. You’ve debated them. Maybe even denied them. But here’s the harsh truth: Derek Carr’s legacy in Las Vegas matters, and trying to dismiss his impact while glorifying someone who only made a brief pit stop here is illogical at best and hypocritical at worst.
And here’s what really stings—it’s not about stats for some of you. It’s personal. Because you like Marshawn. And you don’t like DC. That’s the truth, and deep down, you know it.
I’ve racked my brain trying to find any real justification for this double standard. I tried to give it thought. Logic. Nuance. But it didn’t even take a nanosecond to realize—it just doesn’t hold up. Not even close.
So I’ll say what many of you are too proud to admit: You didn’t want DC to retire a Raider because you never liked him. And you know what? That’s fine. Opinions are yours to hold. But don’t try to dress it up with fake logic or revisionist history. Own it.
Because if you’re okay with a two-year player retiring a Raider, but you’re against a nine-year captain, record-holder, and face-of-the-franchise doing the same—your argument holds no water. It’s built on bias, not football.
Barry Cordick—one of our own admins, and a voice of reason—said it best: Even if you had issues with Carr, even if you weren’t his biggest fan, there’s no way to deny what he did here. The man absolutely deserves to retire a Raider. Period.
So yeah, I’m defending Derek Carr. Not just because he’s a quarterback, not just because of his stats, but because he’s a good man who gave his everything to this organization. And good human beings deserve to be defended—especially by those who claim to stand for loyalty, grit, and pride.
Raider Nation, I love this fanbase. But we need to be better than this. Let’s be real with ourselves. Let’s stand by the players who bled silver and black, not just the ones who fit a narrative.
God bless. One Nation. Always.
— A Proud Defender of Derek Dallas Carr
