Raiders QB Derek carr posts farewell message as team reportedly explores trade: ‘It breaks my heart’

Carr’s agent stated in a tweet that his client’s “tenure with the Raiders is effectively finished” and that he “looks forward to the opportunity to write a new chapter for himself and his career.”

This announcement came weeks after the Raiders benched Carr for the last two games of the season following a turbulent season under first-year head coach Josh McDaniels. Carr and the Raiders apparently agreed that he would leave the team as well to avoid becoming a distraction during the two-game span. Las Vegas lost its final two games of the season with Jarrett Stidham at quarterback, finishing 6-11.

Carr’s departure raises more questions than answers on both sides. Since being picked 36th overall by the Raiders in 2014, he has started all but two games. Carr completed 64.6 percent of his passes during nine seasons, totaling 35,222 yards, 217 touchdowns, and 99 interceptions. These numbers rank 12th, fourth, seventh, and third, respectively, among the 17 quarterbacks with at least 3,000 passing attempts between 2014 and 2022.

The Raiders appeared to be poised to build around Carr this season after trading for college teammate and great receiver Davante Adams in the offseason. An offense built around those two, with supporting players like tight end Darren Waller, running back Josh Jacobs, and receiver Hunter Renfrow, appeared poised to challenge in an AFC West brimming with talent.

However, a terrible defense, several injuries, and a 0-3 start to the season, which featured a few blown leads, derailed the year before it really begun. The Raiders couldn’t catch up in the second half of the season, as Carr turned the ball over nine times in his final five starts, as Vegas missed the playoffs.

There were plenty of doubts about Carr’s viability as a franchise quarterback prior to this season, but another dismal season sealed his fate in Vegas. It didn’t help that Carr will be owed $33 million guaranteed next season in case of injury and $7.5 million guaranteed in 2024 in case of injury.

Adams, who has been a huge fan of Carr since they were teammates at Fresno State, confessed he wanted to be traded to the Raiders for Carr. After only one season together, the two are likely to play for different teams again.

Carr’s contract includes a no-trade provision, thus he will be able to choose his next team either by trade or release. According to Vic Tafur of The Athletic, if the Raiders do not reach an agreement by February 15, a release is likely. There are lots of organizations that would be interested in the experienced quarterback.