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Could Derek Carr’s era with the Las Vegas Raiders be coming to a close?
The team’s decision to bench him in the regular season’s final two games, followed by his departure, may suggest so. While Carr’s supporters hail him, his detractors despise him, with no middle ground.1
Although Carr is the holder of nearly every career franchise passing record, including 35,222 passing yards and 217 touchdown passes, his lackluster performance and economic factors have spurred a bizarre chain of events, leading him to search for a new home.
Over the previous three years, many wondered whether Carr was the solution for the Raiders’ coaching transitions, from Jon Gruden to Rich Bisaccia and current coach Josh McDaniels. If they had to question it, perhaps there was an issue.
To complicate matters, the Raiders have authorized Carr’s team to communicate with clubs that have already consented to Las Vegas’s yet-to-be-determined compensation in a trade, as per Adam Schefter, ESPN’s NFL insider.
Given Carr’s no-trade clause in his contract, he may speak with the New Orleans Saints. The clock is ticking, with February 15 marking the deadline before more than $40 million in guarantees kick in.
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Derek Carr: Who is He?
Derek Dallas Carr is a quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders in the National Football League, born on March 28, 1991.
He played college football at Fresno State, where he was twice named first-team All-MWC, and was selected by the Raiders in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft.2
Carr is a four-time Pro Bowler who helped the Raiders reach the playoffs in 2016, their first appearance since 2002, and again in 2021.
However, after a disappointing 2022 season, he lost his starting position and mutually agreed with the Raiders’ management to part ways.
What Takes Place on February 15 and Why Was That Day Chosen?
On February 15, $40.4 million of Carr’s three-year, $121.5 million contract signed last spring will become guaranteed, three days following the Super Bowl.
Unless the Raiders release him before that date, they would incur a $5.6 million salary cap penalty but gain $29.3 million in cap space.
In case of a trade, the Raiders would take a $5.6 million salary hit but receive assets in return, providing them with $29.3 million in cap space.
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Derek Carr: Contract With The Raiders
As the NFL offseason approaches, the future of Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has been a topic of much speculation.
The Raiders or any team that acquires Carr’s contract in a potential post-Feb. 15 trade will guarantee the quarterback $40.4 million if the Raiders do nothing with Carr after that date.
Carr’s camp chose the February 15th deadline during discussions for the extension, in order to give him a month’s head start on everyone else in free agency, should he be released, and offer him the advantages built in with being the first free agent QB on the market.
Additionally, the extension provided Carr with a no-trade clause, giving him a greater say in his future destination should the need arise.
The looming question for both Carr and potential suitors is whether or not it’s just about the money. If it is, Carr would surely want to move somewhere that will at least give him the $40.4 million he was already promised.
On the other hand, if you’re a team interested in Carr, why would you weaken yourself by making a trade for him when you know you can sign him on the open market for less money than the guaranteed $40.4 million?
The situation has led to a high-stakes game of chicken, with teams and Carr’s camp waiting to see who blinks first.
As the trade deadline approaches, teams must weigh the potential benefits of acquiring Carr’s contract against the cost, both in terms of draft capital and the quarterback’s substantial contract.
Carr’s On-Field Performance
While the focus of much of the discussion surrounding Carr’s future has been on his contract, it’s important not to overlook his on-field performance. In 2020, Carr had one of the best seasons of his career, throwing for 4,103 yards and 27 touchdowns with just nine interceptions. He also set a career-high in completion percentage at 67.3%.
Despite these impressive numbers, Carr has been subject to criticism from some quarters for his perceived lack of “it factor.” However, Carr’s teammates and coaches have consistently praised his leadership, work ethic, and football IQ.
Potential Suitors
Several teams have been mentioned as potential suitors for Carr should the Raiders decide to trade him. The Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, and Washington Football Team have all been rumored to have interest in the quarterback.
The Colts are an interesting option for Carr, as they have a strong offensive line and a talented group of playmakers that could help him thrive. Additionally, the team’s head coach, Frank Reich, was Carr’s offensive coordinator for two seasons in 2014 and 2015.
The Patriots, on the other hand, have been in need of a long-term solution at quarterback since the departure of Tom Brady. While they may not be in a position to immediately contend for a championship, Carr could help the team rebuild and establish a new era of success.
Washington has an up-and-coming defense and a solid group of skill position players, but questions remain about the long-term future of current quarterback Alex Smith. Carr could provide stability and leadership to the team as they look to build on their promising 2020 campaign.
Let’s Go Back: How Did Carr and the Raiders Arrive at a Fork in The Road?
- The Las Vegas Raiders have been at a crossroads with their quarterback, Derek Carr, as they try to determine his future with the team.
- Carr has been with the Raiders for nine seasons, and during that time, he has had to deal with numerous changes at the head coach and play caller positions, as well as a poor defense.
- Despite leading the Raiders to the playoffs twice, Carr’s career record is 63-79 without a playoff victory, and he has struggled in cold weather games.
- However, Carr was the team’s first real franchise quarterback since Rich Gannon in 2004. When the Raiders began the 2014 offseason, their top three quarterback targets were Matt Schaub, Mark Sanchez, and Michael Vick.
- Fortunately, Carr fell to them in the second round of the draft, and he quickly established himself as the team’s starting quarterback.
- While Carr has had his ups and downs with the Raiders, he has been selected to the Pro Bowl four times, including three times as an alternate. However, with his contract set to guarantee $40.4 million, the Raiders have had to seriously consider their options.
- A trade would be the ideal situation for the Raiders, but they would want to receive fair compensation. Negotiations would likely start with at least a first-round pick, and it’s hard to imagine the Raiders accepting anything less than a third-round pick.
- However, a deal could fall through if the other team backs out before the trade can be finalized on March 15, so there must be a lot of trust on the part of the Raiders.
- As the deadline approaches, the cost of Carr’s services will decrease, and the Raiders will have to make a decision. They must determine if they believe Carr can lead them to a Super Bowl or if they should move on and start fresh with a new quarterback.
- Regardless of their decision, the Raiders will be at a fork in the road as they try to return to the glory days of the franchise.
FAQs
Q: How long has Derek Carr been with the Raiders?
A: Carr has been with the Raiders for nine seasons.
Q: Has Carr led the Raiders to the playoffs?
A: Yes, Carr has led the Raiders to the playoffs twice.
Q: How has Carr performed in cold weather games?
A: Carr has struggled in cold weather games, with a 2-10 record and a 33.6 total QBR in games where the temperature is 40 degrees or lower.
Q: What compensation would the Raiders want in a trade for Carr?
A: The Raiders would likely want negotiations to start with at least a first-round pick and would be unlikely to accept anything less than a third-round pick.
Q: What happens if a deal for Carr falls through before the trade deadline?
A: The Raiders must have trust in the other team, as a deal could fall through if the other team backs out before the trade can be finalized on March 15.
What to know About The NFL Draft in 2023
Beware of the March ides? Be wary of a team experiencing buyer’s remorse after agreeing to a trade but before the start of the league year or Carr deciding he’d rather play somewhere else or hit the open market and activate his no-trade clause after agreeing to a move.
In successful pre-new league year deals, quarterbacks like Matthew Stafford (January 2021), Alex Smith (January 2018), and Russell Wilson (March 2022) were traded by their respective teams.
Derek Carr: Supporters
Many Carr supporters are holding out hope that the Raiders will admit their mistakes and just apologize while inviting him back. Sorry, I don’t think it will happen.
Not just because Carr said two summers ago that he would “probably” retire rather than play for a team other than the Raiders, but particularly because Carr left his teammates with two games remaining and still received a Pro Bowl nod after Patrick Mahomes was excused from the Super Bowl, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow withdrew due to injury, and Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, and Tua Tagovailoa were injured.
Carr claimed to have discussed the procedure with Peyton Manning, the AFC Pro Bowl coach who had previously been fired. Carr remarked, “You just go to the next spot and you move on.” “You give it your all there,” Yes, Carr appears to have changed the subject.
Derek Carr: About Contract
You have to give and take during negotiations, right? The Raiders may have been able to utilize this past season, Carr’s first in McDaniels’ system, as a prove-it year because Carr’s camp apparently desired it.
And he definitely didn’t demonstrate this to the incoming government. The no-trade clause and the month-ahead deadline for his $40.4 million guarantee to begin are undoubtedly a little difficult for the Raiders.
The option to move on with that relatively little $5.6 million salary cap impact was the flip side of that, though. The negotiations’ yin and yang.
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Who May be The Raiders’ Backup Quarterback in 2023, Then?
Tom Brady, the first alternative, left football last week. Therefore, with experience in McDaniels’ system appearing to be a need, all eyes now turn to Jimmy Garoppolo, who will not play for the San Francisco 49ers again in 2019 and is recovering from a foot injury.
How much sense does it make to invest in a player who will turn 32 in November if the best ability is availability, given that Garoppolo has missed 18 games over the past three seasons? (Carr has only missed two games in his career due to injuries.)
Brady would have been a bridge, without a sure, but is Garoppolo Las Vegas’s quarterback of the future given that he is only eight months Carr’s junior? Future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers, who was drafted by the Packers in 2005, one pick after the Raiders selected cornerback Fabian Washington, is the subject of trade rumors that have already begun to pick up steam.
Similar to how, in 1983, the Raiders selected offensive tackle Don Mosebar one selection before Dan Marino.
Ouch. And while Davante Adams has a relationship with McDaniels due to his eight years in Green Bay, Rodgers does not. Adams was pleading with Rodgers to travel with him to Las Vegas for the Pro Bowl. However, acquiring Rodgers would be pricey and require an exchange of assets.
