Oakland Raiders coach Tony Sparano has revealed that he wants rookie quarterback Derek Carr to become a leader of his team this season.

The Raiders have slumped to a 0-4 start to the season and sit bottom of the AFC West ahead of facing divisional rivals the San Diego Chargers this weekend.

"I visited with him and we got a chance to talk about that," Sparano said, CSN Bay Area reported.

"I said to him, 'This is your football team; you're the quarterback. We don't have time for you to be a rookie right now, this team needs you to step up and be that leader. Don't sit around and wait to do that.' ...It's in Derek's DNA, he wants to go out there and do that. He wants to be the leader."

Carr has responded by insisting that he is ready to lead the way and attempt to turn the Raiders' season around in the upcoming weeks.