The standoff between quarterback Derek Carr and the Las Vegas Raiders has reached its logical end. Carr, selected with the 36th pick in the second round of the 2014 draft by the then-Oakland Raiders, was benched in favor of Jarrett Stidham late in the 2022 season by first-year head coach Josh McDaniel, and that was going to be the end of his time with his only NFL team.
Carr has a no-trade clause in the three-year, $121.5 million contract extension he signed in 2022, so even when there was the framework of a deal that would send Carr to the New Orleans Saints, Carr had the right to refuse it, which he has done. The Raiders must release Carr before February 15 — if they don’t, $32.9 million of his 2023 salary, and $7.5 million of his 2024 salary, will become guaranteed.
Carr’s saltiness about the way he was treated was evident during the Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium last week.
— SportsGrid (@SportsGrid) February 12, 2023
In 2022, Carr completed 305 of 502 passes for 3,522 yards, 24 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, and a passer rating of 86.3. He did throw nine interceptions in his last five games with the Raiders, which certainly complicated matters. Nonetheless, it should be estimated that Carr will be a top-priority free agent when the new league year comes around.