Former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has a new opportunity in football that he likely just couldn’t pass up
The Las Vegas Raiders will likely support Derek Carr in his new adventure helping the UCLA football team.
Former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is heading back to football. The retired NFL veteran will serve as a special advisor for the UCLA Bruins under new head coach Bob Chesney, bringing over a decade of professional experience to a program looking to build under new leadership.
Carr’s résumé speaks for itself. He racked up 41,000 career passing yards, 257 career passing touchdowns, 3,765 career completions, and a 65% career completion percentage. The back end of his career didn’t look as pretty, but Carr is still someone who can help young football players develop, especially those who want to learn the offensive side of the ball. Carr is really good at breaking down offenses, something he’s demonstrated on his podcast since stepping away from the game.
The Fresno State connection
So why UCLA? There’s a strong personal tie. While at Fresno State from 2009 to 2013, Carr overlapped with UCLA general manager Derek Yray. Yray is in his first season with the Bruins as the general manager.
He spent four years as an offensive assistant and three as an assistant director of football operations with the Bulldogs from 2008 to 2014. That shared history likely made this move a natural fit for both sides. Chesney made it clear how much the program values the addition.
“We are excited to welcome Derek to our program. He has played the quarterback position at a high level for more than a decade, and his experience, leadership, and football knowledge will be an incredible resource to our coaching staff and student-athletes. What stands out most is his passion for the game and his commitment to developing young people. Derek will have a tremendous impact on our players and a great addition to our program,” Chesney said.
Carr expressed similar enthusiasm about the opportunity and his relationship with Yray.
“I’ve known Daric for a long time and have great respect for the work he’s done throughout his career. The opportunity to help Coach Chesney, the staff, and the quarterbacks at UCLA was one that really excited me. I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences and helping support the program in any way I can,” Carr said.
What this means for UCLA and Carr
This is a significant addition for UCLA. Adding a former NFL quarterback with Carr’s experience and football IQ gives the Bruins a resource that most college programs simply don’t have. For the quarterbacks on that roster, getting to work alongside someone who threw 257 touchdown passes in the NFL is an invaluable opportunity.
For Carr, this is his path back into the game. There were rumors about him returning to the Raiders and retiring as a Raider, but that never materialized. He’s retired now, and this role with UCLA gives him a chance to stay connected to football in a meaningful way. It’s a cool opportunity for a guy who clearly still loves the game and wants to pour into the next generation of players.
