The Raiders’ Derek Carr decision has become this week’s top NFL storyline, and it sets up an interesting trade market for a player who has been loosely involved in trade rumors for years. It may not have been Josh McDaniels‘ decision to move in this direction. At least, not right now.
McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler met Monday and Tuesday nights discussing their quarterback plan, and while a benching was mentioned as a possibility, Vic Tafur of The Athletic views it as likely McDaniels and Ziegler were planning to keep Carr as the team’s starter to close out the season. Mark Davis looks to have played a role in the decision that led to Jarrett Stidham being announced the starter and Carr leaving the team for the time being, Tafur adds (subscription required).
[RELATED: Where Will Carr Play Next Season?]
Carr has played for four six Raiders HCs, counting interims Tony Sparano and Rich Bisaccia, over his nine-year career. The GM that drafted Carr, Reggie McKenzie, extended him at $25MM per year during the 2017 offseason. While the Jon Gruden period brought steady trade rumors, the Raiders hung onto their starter. Carr became the longest-tenured starting QB in Raiders history and now owns the team’s all-time passing records — by a substantial margin.
McDaniels and Ziegler extended him this year, albeit with the much-discussed February escape hatch, but interviews with the ex-Patriots duo and other GMs this offseason curiously did not feature the Raider interviewers discussing Carr in a positive light. Coaching and GM candidates were surprised to hear Raiders officials’ Carr assessments during the job interviews, according to Tafur, who adds Davis has been lukewarm on the starter for a long time. Davis and former Raiders VP of player personnel Ken Herock led the coach-GM search this year, and the owner ended up letting McDaniels and Ziegler make the call on Carr.
The new Raiders power brokers settled on the half-measure extension — a three-year, $121.4MM deal that includes the out three days after Super Bowl LVII — and it looks like the parties will aim to capitalize on the narrow trade window. They will explore doing so despite Davante Adams seeking a trade to Las Vegas to reunite with Carr. If Carr goes, it will be interesting to see how Adams’ Vegas future unfolds.
The Raiders taking the opportunity to make the $40.4MM bonus — Carr’s full 2023 base salary and $7.5MM of his 2024 base pay — another team’s responsibility would cost them barely $5MM in dead money. That is quite the low sum associated with dealing a quality starter less than a year after the extension ink dried, but Carr agreed to the terms and landed a no-trade clause. That will protect the three-time Pro Bowler, who should have options once trade talks commence.
Davis was in place as the team’s owner when McKenzie drafted Carr 36th overall in 2014, and after several post-Rich Gannon misfires by the organization, Carr offered stability — albeit without giving his team a top-tier option under center — and durability. He has only missed two career regular-season games, but it looks like the owner is ready to move on. Carr’s inability to lead a game-tying drive against the Bengals in the wild-card round last season gnawed at Davis, per Tafur, despite the quarterback piloting four straight wins to help Bisaccia become the rare interim coach to lead his team to the playoffs. Bisaccia received consideration for the full-time gig, but Davis passed, leading the longtime special teams coach to Green Bay.
Carr remains a Raider partially because Gruden backed out of the Tom Brady pursuit two years ago, leading to some colorful Brady language re: Carr. Gruden viewed Brady as too old at that point, Tafur adds. Brady was preparing for his age-43 season at that point, and although the Raiders joined other teams in being connected to the legendary signal-caller, he ended up deciding between the Buccaneers and the Chargers. It is not certain the Raiders would have beaten out the Bucs for Brady’s services, but with McDaniels now running the show, look for Brady — ahead of an age-46 season he is not a lock to pursue — to be connected to the Raiders again.
Davis and Irsay are like the meme of Spider-Man pointing at Spider-Man, only if one of the Spideys had the weirdest haircut you’ve ever seen on a 67-year old.
And somehow Carr has seemed (at least publicly) to be a pro about it through all the personnel and management drama of that mess. I mean, how can you screw up the Carr/Adams reunion this badly? But McDaniels managed to do it and now of course, it’s all Carr’s fault. He wants out and Adams is just plain pissed off. Wow.
I’m not surprised that McDaniels hasn’t excelled in his first year, and I always thought it was weird to go all-in on contending last offseason, but I didn’t think it would go THIS badly.
“Look what they need to mimic a fraction of my power” – Dan Snyder
Brady needs to take care of Cindy Bobby, Peter and Jan now that Mike and Carol have died. Final retirement man!
Brady doesn’t think much of the Raiders but I hope he signs. Sign Jacobs and fix that god awful defence. They couldn’t beat the Steelers and they stink.
Some owners will never figure it out. You hire the right people and let them do their jobs without interference. If it turns out you didn’t hire the right people, then replace them with the right people. Don’t make the decisions for them and then blame them for listening to your directions.
Some owners also need to find the right barber, and then let them do their jobs without interference. If it turns out your barber gives you a haircut like Mark’s, you replace them with the right barber. Don’t ever let your barber send you out the door with a haircut like that.
@ Monkey’s Uncle / I don’t think there is much incentive for owners to learn about football operations so they can hire knowledgeable underlings. As long as they can ride the money train in comfort they’re content to cycle through a series of scape goats.
I can’t imagine why any team would trade for Carr and his insane salary. Raiders are selling at the lowest point of value he’s prob ever had. So maybe the Colts are interested.
They would do that because they know raiders can cut bait free and clear. So it won’t cost much. So if they can get car for a 3rd and not have to fight the open market it’s a win.
Derek Carr, the come back kid. Derek Carr, most touchdowns thrown as a Raider QB. Derek Carr has had a defense ranked 30th in all his nine years. Derek Carr gets a Josh McDaniels and has a non inventive season, but this is Derek Carrs fault? Marc is an Idiot, and Josh is a Looser. I’ve got over fifty years supporting this team and when Derek goes, so do I. Raider management is in a crisis, too bad they can’t admit their mistakes. I’m so pissed off.
So will you choose a new team Ray?
As I said, where Derek goes so do I. Raiders are and have been a disaster for too long. So done with their nonsense under poor Ownership.
I don’t know about changing teams, but I have considered it. The Raiders do not make my world evolve, but I’m pretty hurt at the manner that they are treating Carr. Two of the 3 receiving corp has been out for an extended time and we still won games, but lost 3 games by the defense that would definitely have us in the playoffs now. I may have to take a hiatus from them if they trade carr. I’m kinda close to becoming a Chiefs. Eagles, or Saints fan.
Chiefs are taking applications for fans, but there is a very long waiting list. Lol
retiring.
Carr hasn’t set the world on fire this year, but he isn’t the reason the Raiders underachieved. Looks like Davis was looking to take some of the stink off his choice of Josh McDaniels as head coach.
So the brilliant Raider’s plan is to use Brady as a stopgap until Jim Plunkett can get himself back into playing shape?
My goodness… someone get this writer an editor.
Mark doesn’t enough credit for being a bottom feeder owner.
I’m not a big Carr fan but the fact is that it was the horrible Gruden/Mayock drafts and FA signings that put Mark Davis (who is responsible for the Gruden and Mayock hires) in the position of scapegoating Carr. It’s 2 years too late on Brady – he looks done. So that leaves the Raiders with no option but to start over with a young/rookie QB because the rest of their squad is not good enough to carry a journeyman/placeholder QB to anything more than a 5 to 7 win season.
In retrospect, it would’ve been nice to get the haul that Denver gave up to acquire Wilson.
That said, it’s been at least five years since I’ve seen any signs of intelligence coming out of Oakland’s FO.
I can’t believe how utterly stupid the Raiders have been. They have zero ground to stand on during a trade. Everyone knows they have to trade him so the 2nd rnd pick they might have got will now turn into 4-5th rnd pick.
I would like Seattle to get him for a year or two. I think they trade the the 2nd or 3rd pick to the highest bidder. Then trade that pick again. Oh both those trades are for firsts in 2024. That way we have 3 firsts next year for a much better QB class as it looks now.
Carr could raise his stock with a good season then the next season he could be moved to at the trade deadline if our new QB is ready. I know so many Raider fans hate the guy but I don’t see why. He has gone through numerous coaching changes the OL has been suspect and the 6 picks 3 were off WR hands. I believe Carr can be saved and be the QB he has shown glimpses of. Raiders can overpay for Geno we get a much better QB at a steal of a price and continue the rebuild with a great draft again this year.
Trade Rodgers for Carr? Both parties win there imo
It’s called tanking for the rights for Caleb Williams next year.
Davis was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple. This guy knows nothing about football other than his dad once had something to do with it. He should sell this franchise for the $billions it is worth and return to playing video games in the basement.
Now I know why AL would kick Mark out of the room when a team meeting was to take place. He had no tolerance for stupidity even from his own son. Rich was a much better option for head coach than McDaniels,and the defense still sucks and is at the bottom of the league. No way you let Carr walk and I hope he uses his no trade clause to screw the raiders out of any chance for a trade. Mark continues to validate his own stupidity with these head coaching hires.