Derek Carr is that dude. The gunslinging, playmaking, thrive-in-the-moment quarterback.

The first four weeks of the season have shown he is ready to challenge the game’s elite. The Raiders have their answer for the Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger breed of quarterback. In a quarterback league, the Raiders have a star coming into his own, the kind who can put the team on his shoulders.

The Raiders just have to turn him loose. It’s not imperative for Sunday’s home game against the Chargers. Oakland should be able to handle San Diego even though running back Latavius Murray is out. But it would be good preventative medicine to let Carr destroy the Chargers early, ending the possibility of another home letdown.

The Raiders are at their best when the offense plays to Carr’s strengths. Give him a stack of receivers spread all over, maybe some no-huddle, and the Raiders become virtually unstoppable. The likelihood, as the season progresses, is that the Raiders will need Carr to carry them. They have survived close scares already and are 3-1. But eventually, winning will require riding their quarterback.

Carr is fourth in ESPN’s quarterback ratings, third in the NFL’s passer ratings and second in the Pro Football Focus ratings. Universally, he is playing elite ball. Yet Carr is 15th in passing yards. Ten quarterbacks have more completions of more than 20 yards.

Why? Because the Raiders offense plays it conservative until it’s in trouble. It dinks and dunks, wide-receiver screens its way to three-and-outs. Then when threatened, the Raiders open it up, and Silver & Black magic appears.

The Raiders schedule will get daunting. They still have tough games against Houston and Buffalo, and two against Denver. Consecutive road games at Jacksonville and Tampa Bay, plus one at the always- tough Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Playing with fire isn’t advisable.

Sooner than later, the magic should be a steady diet. Pass to set up the run. Pick up the tempo. Breaking the opponents’ will by picking on the coverage is just as effective as pounding them into submission on the ground. And the Raiders are more suited for the former anyway.

They have a good run game, but they have a special quarterback. And several really good receivers for him to target.

Head coach Jack Del Rio and crew are right to avoid turnovers. Playoff teams protect the rock. But not at the expense of stifling potential. They have to trust Carr.

They will have to do that anyway. Because Carr is the hub on which they will make the playoffs. How they can overtake Denver for the division. How they win games in the postseason. The Raiders aren’t built for a defend-and-run-the-ball approach. Those elements are critical, but they are a quarterback-driven team. They have a quarterback for that.

It is also how Carr will continue to grow as a quarterback. It is also how the Raiders will eventually have a shot at the Super Bowl.

Might as well start letting him loose now.