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Derek Carr’s monster contract in sharp contrast to Blake Bortles

By Luke Sims

Oct 23, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) runs in the second half as Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) defends at EverBank Field. Oakland Raiders won 33-16. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) runs in the second half as Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) defends at EverBank Field. Oakland Raiders won 33-16. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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Derek Carr‘s monster contract has solidified his position atop the 2014 NFL Draft class, highlighting the gap between his play and that of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles.

After signing a contract extension with the Oakland Raiders that made Derek Carr the highest paid player in the NFL, his elevation above his 2014 NFL Draft peers became even more pronounced.

Johnny Manziel never stood a chance, Teddy Bridgewater faded after the 2016 injury, and Blake Bortles has been a distant second in the conversation of who the best quarterback out of that 2014 class was. Now, his peers are all $100-million quarterbacks.

For a time here at Black and Teal, we ran a column comparing the top quarterbacks from the 2014 draft class. Bortles was only ahead of Manziel for much of that series and then made it a contest by the end of 2015 and leapfrogged Bridgewater by default to start 2016. Since then, it hasn’t even been close.

From the get-go, Carr has proven to be so much more than his peers. While Bridgewater was hyper-accurate and on a winning squad and Bortles’ raw numbers were impressive, Carr had the grit and ability to be better than both.

As Jacksonville Jaguars fans look toward the 2017 season with Bortles still cemented as the starter, this can leave a bitter taste in the mouth. The Jaguars did not have to take Bortles third-overall in 2014. The Jaguars didn’t have to give him the starting job early or practically ensure his job security by sticking with Chad Henne as his backup.

Bortles is not a quarterback that the Jaguars absolutely have to remain tied to.

While there are some positives for Bortles, after the huge contract Carr just scored, it’s interesting to continue to compare the two. The contrast is startling.

More from Black and Teal

Derek Carr: 22-25 record, 60.9 completion percentage, 11194 yards, 81 touchdowns, 31 interceptions, two Pro Bowls.

Blake Bortles: 11-34 record, 58.8 completion percentage, 11241 yards, 69 touchdowns, 51 interceptions

In short, Carr is equally productive in raw yardage, completes more passes, and has 12 more touchdowns while throwing 20 less interceptions. He’s accurate, makes big plays, and keeps the ball safe.

While I have personally not been a Bortles-basher for most of the offseason, it is sobering to continue to keep an eye on Carr compared to Bortles. And the sobering reality is that there really is no comparison.

Unless there is a miraculous rebound by Bortles in 2017, he is no longer worth comparing to Carr.

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