Raiders Starting Rookie QB Derek Carr Over Matt Schaub

Jay Glazer of Fox Sports is reporting that Raiders’ players have been informed that rookie QB Derek Carr will be their starting quarterback over veteran Matt Schaub.

This marks the second time in as many years that the Raiders have traded for a veteran quarterback only to go with someone else as their starter in Week 1.

• Oakland sent the Texans a 2014 sixth-round pick for Schaub back in March and later signed him to a two-year, $13.5 million contract that included $8 million guaranteed, which will be paid out in year one.

The Raiders had previously maintained that Schaub was their starting quarterback, but there is no question that Carr has been the more impressive quarterback throughout the preseason.

HC Dennis Allen told reporters that Schaub was dealing with an elbow injury, which probably played a role in the decision, but Carr really earned this opportunity and should provide much more upside than the veteran quarterback.

Carr has completed 30-of-45 passing for 326 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception over the course of three preseason games.

Conversely, Schaub completed 24-of-47 passes for 218 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.

Oakland opens the season in New York against the Jets and will get the Texans and Patriots in the weeks after.