The Las Vegas Raiders are scheduled to play Derek Carr, their former starting quarterback, in New Orleans this upcoming season.
While the official schedule has not been released yet, the Las Vegas Raiders’ opponents for the upcoming 2024 NFL season were finalized in January. At some point, the Raiders will travel to New Orleans to play the Saints. While the game might not have playoff implications like a divisional or conference matchup, there might be personal stakes.
Former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr will be entering his second season as a Saint. He started for New Orleans for most of last season, finishing 10th in the league in passing yards (3,878) and touchdown passes (25). Carr earned an above-average 77.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
Carr recently took to his Instagram story for a Q&A with fans and gave a humorous reply as to whether or not the former Raider was looking forward to playing against All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby.
“I am looking forward to it — I cannot wait,” Carr said before joking, “I’m going to try to start a fight with him, and punch him, and then have the ref only see him throw his punch back. That’s my goal.”
Carr and Crosby played together for four seasons. When Carr parted ways with the Raiders in 2023, Crosby spoke of their friendship to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe.
“[Carr has ] always been a great friend of mine ever since I got in the league,” Crosby said. “I got a ton of love for him.”
Crosby is coming off a 2023 campaign that landed him second-team All-Pro recognition and a finalist nod for the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year Award (he would finish fourth). Crosby was named the 11th-best player in Pro Football Focus’ league-wide player rankings with a defensive grade of 92.
Carr was drafted out of Fresno State by the Raiders in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He was the Raiders’ starter for nine seasons. Carr owns the franchise record for career passing yards (35,222), touchdowns (217) and completions (3,201).
Carr was a four-time Pro Bowler with the Raiders. Quarterback Jimmy Garappolo was Carr’s successor before losing the starting job to Aidan O’Connell last November.
