Raiders quarterback Derek Carr discusses relationship with head coach Jon Gruden

It’s hard to talk about the Las Vegas Raiders without head coach Jon Gruden coming up in the conversation. Not just because of the coach’s résumé, but because of his larger-than-life persona.

So naturally, when Derek Carr spoke at length to The Athletic’s Vic Tafur ahead of training camp opening up, the starting quarterback was asked about how his relationship with his coach has evolved over the last three seasons.

“He cares so deeply about every play. And that’s what makes him a Super Bowl-winning coach. Because he cares that much,” Carr relayed to Tafur. “One thing we would butt heads on early on was that we’re both super competitive and in the first five seconds of something happening, we both think we are right. 

“So, we both learned how to communicate better. I understand now, I am hearing his message through what he is saying,” Carr explained. “I am hearing what he is telling me rather than how he is trying to tell me.”

Carr expanded, saying that Gruden’s way of communicating with him has ended up being the “perfect” fit for his playing style.

“He texts me every day,” Carr revealed. “He will text me tonight to say, ‘Man, great job on such and such play, great check, love you man, keep it up.’ And he’s the same guy that if I screw something up, ‘What the F are you doing?’ And it’s beautiful. I have a coach in him that demands what I am demanding from myself already.”

Having a great relationship with one’s coach surely plays into looking to the future as well. Carr has two years left on a five-year contract, and while he claims he isn’t interested in discussing the business side of things, he has made it very clear where his loyalties lie.

“I don’t ever want to play on another team,” he said. “I love the city of Las Vegas. I love this organization and I would rather play golf every day of my life than play for somebody else.”

The Raiders open up the regular season hosting the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 13.