Derek Carr says no to a trade to Saints or anyone else. What it means for the Raiders
Derek Carr informed the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday afternoon he will not accept a trade, according to multiple reports.
Carr has a no-trade clause and took a trip to New Orleans last week to meet with the Saints, but he will not be traded there after a framework was in place. Carr wouldn’t accept a pay cut to help finalize the deal, and the Saints were the only team interested in making a trade with the Raiders, the Associated Press reported citing a person who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to comment publicly..
Carr stated Feb. 2 that being released and hitting the free-agent market was his preferred route, saying then he wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause.
That means the Raiders will not get a draft pick in a Carr trade.
ESPN said the Raiders were looking for a third-round pick for Carr.
The Carr release means the Raiders will take a $5 million cap hit and will avoid paying him $40.4 million in guaranteed money that would begin on Feb. 15.
Carr is free to sign with any team immediately.
He was benched for the final two NFL games of the 2022 NFL season. Carr, 31, played his first nine seasons out of Fresno State for the Raiders and holds club records for yards passing (35,222) and touchdown passes (217), but without a playoff victory.
The news of Carr’s release on Super Bowl Sunday had a mixed reaction from fans.
Being a fan of #RaiderNation for 20+ yrs, they NEVER did Carr dirty. He was better than what we had going before they got him. He’s being petty, east for me to say tho.
— DōpeisDerek (@DOPEisDEREK) February 12, 2023
Derek Carr might fetch good money on the open market because the QB market is broken. In which case he will join Matt Ryan, Ryan Tannehill, Dak, Kyler and most likely Daniel Jones in being guys that everyone sees as really bad contracts.
— EastBaySportFan (@EastBaySportFan) February 12, 2023
They'll still definitely pursue Carr in free agency too, but there might be a financial bidding war now (THAT'S why he wants released). Could be a bidding war for Garoppolo too. Outside of them, you have Brissett, Bridgewater, Heinicke, maybe Geno Smith....obviously the draft too
— Bob Rose (@bobbyr2613) February 12, 2023
Ziegler as first time GM got beat by Carr’s agent in how this “extension” was constructed. Didn’t have to do extension, decided to, and threw in no trade clause along with early decision date on future guarantees. Ziegler only protected if Carr performed well, which he didn’t.
— Ryan Holmes (@Rholm22) February 12, 2023
I don’t know why people don’t think carr will get more then 40 mil in guarantees he definitely will
— Chibears (@alex07575735) February 12, 2023
Who’s next QB1 in Las Vegas?
With the impending release of Carr, who’s been the quarterback for the past nine seasons, the Raiders will look for a new quarterback for the 2023 NFL season.
The Raiders will likely select a quarterback in the 2023 NFL draft, but will also look for a veteran quarterback., whether it’s Aaron Rodgers or Jimmy Garoppolo or someone else.
Rodgers is headed for a “darkness retreat” on Monday and will decide on his future afterwards.
The NFL Network said the Green Bay Packers are open to trading Rodgers.
Bee wire services contributed to this report.
