The Oakland Raiders have decided the future is now and named rookie Derek Carr as the starting quarterback for the season opener against the New York Jets.

Head coach Dennis Allen made the announcement on Monday. "We made the decision to go with Derek Carr as the quarterback," Allen said after practice. "There were a lot of factors involved in that. It's not an indictment on Matt Schaub at all, I still feel very confident in Matt Schaub."

With Carr being names as the starter, Matt Schaub has been relegated to the backup role. Allen confirmed that Carr will be the starting quarterback for the foreseeable future. Schaub was traded to the Raiders in March by the Houston Texas in exchange for a fifth round draft pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Carr made only one start in the preseason, which was apparently enough for Allen to make the decision to install Carr as the starter. That start was against Seattle in the fourth and final preseason game. Carr finished 11 of 13 for 143 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Raiders won the game 41-31.

For the preseason, Carr went 30 of 45 with 326 yards passing with 4 touchdowns and 1 interception.

The Raiders drafted Carr in the second round with the 36th overall pick earlier this year. Carr had an illustrious career in college at Fresno State where he threw for 12,843 yards, 113 touchdowns, and only 24 interceptions in three years as the starter. Derek is the younger brother of David Carr, who was the number one overall draft pick of the Houston Texans in 2002.

For the Raiders, they will find out early if Carr can produce in the NFL. It was clear they do not believe Schaub was a long-term answer to their revolving quarterback door. Carr will be the 18th different starting quarterback since 2003.

The Oakland Raiders play the New York Jets on Sunday at 1:00 PM Eastern Time. Carr is projected to be the only rookie quarterback to start in Week 1.

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About the author
Matthew Dixon
I follow College Football at all levels; FBS, FCS, Division II, and Division III. In addition, I am a horse racing enthusiast.