With the Las Vegas Raiders apparently ready to move on Derek Carrthe veteran quarterback won’t do them any favors.
While participating in Thursday’s Pro Bowl skills competition, Carr said he will not extend the Feb. 15 deadline when his $40.4 million salary is fully guaranteed. The Raiders, who cannot finalize a trade involving Carr until the new league year begins on March 15, will be on the hook for all of Carr’s 2023 salary if he is not released within the next two weeks.
“I don’t think it’s the best thing for me,” Carr said of pushing back the trigger date on his contract to help the Raiders facilitate a trade.
Interestingly, the Raiders have yet to give Carr, who has a no-trade clause, permission to even seek a trade partner.
“That’s for [the Raiders] to talk about it,” Carr said, when asked why Las Vegas won’t let him talk to other teams. “I’m just obeying the rules. If it reaches the date [and I get released]then I can talk to all my friends.”
The four-time Pro Bowler could end up being the best veteran quarterback on the market. Tom Brady announced his retirement last week, while the status of Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson is even murkier than Carr’s. The Colts, Jets and Buccaneers currently have the best odds to land Carr, according to FOX Bet.
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After winning the Pro Bowl’s accuracy passing contest, Carr also took some shots at the Raiders when asked if he’s ever been so hot in Vegas.
“Not so hot. That’s probably why I’m going somewhere else,” Carr joked.
Carr’s time with the Raiders likely came to an unceremonious end in the final weeks of the 2022 season. After falling to 6-9 in a disappointing loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Eve, Carr was cut by Jarrett Stidham during the final two games of the regular season. He completed just 60.8 percent of his passes for a career-high 3,522 yards, 24 touchdowns and 14 interceptions with an 86.3 passer rating, his lowest since his season in debutant
Carr received support from Raiders fans in attendance at the skills competition, however, as they expressed their appreciation for their QB of the past nine seasons.
“It gave me goosebumps because they wear the jerseys and it brings tears to your eyes because you love them so much,” Carr said. “You poured your heart out trying to give them some memories.”
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