QB Derek Carr states that he is open to the challenge of a brand new city and a team

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Quarterback Derek Carr said Thursday in first public comments since being benched Josh McDaniels, Las Vegas Raiders Coach, says that Josh is ready for the challenge and has two weeks to go in the season.

“I once said that if I’m not a Raider I would rather be at home and I meant that, but I never envisioned it ending this way,” Carr posted on Twitter. “That fire burning inside of me to win a championship still rages. This fire is beyond the power of man. Only God can put it out. So I look forward to a new city and a new team who, no matter the circumstance, will get everything I have.”

Carr was a Raiders’ starting quarterback for nine seasons. This provided stability for a team that had gone through 17 starting quarterbacks during the 11 years prior to Carr’s arrival in 2014 as a second-round selection.

Carr led the Raiders to playoff appearances, in 2016 and 2021. He holds multiple team records including most career yards passing (35.222) and touchdown passes (217). He also held the record for most starts by a quarterback in the Super Bowl era, but he never won a playoff game.

Carr struggled his first season with McDaniels despite having Davante Adams, a star receiver, join the offense.

Carr’s lowest scores since 2017 were in completion rate (60.6%), passer rating (86.3) and interception rate (2.8%). He also had the lowest yards per attempt (7.0).

This led to McDaniels’ and Dave Ziegler’s decision to let Carr go less than one year after signing him up. three-year extension For $120.5 Million

Carr received a $5 million raise in 2022 through the deal that was signed last April. Las Vegas got an exemption from this offseason. Carr’s salary of $41.9 million and $32.9 million in 2023 will remain with the Raiders until February 15, 2023. Carr’s release is guaranteed.

While the Raiders may be able to come to an agreement with Carr before the deadline, it is not possible for a deal to be made until after the new league year starts on March 15. Carr would be acquired by any team that takes over the remainder of the contract. This would include guarantees for 2023-24 as well as a non-guaranteed salary of $41.2 million for 2025.

Carr’s deal includes a no-trade clause that gives him full control over his destination. The Raiders could have to just cut Carr and absorb $5.6 million on the 2023 salary cap, but still save more than $29 million.

“Derek’s tenure with the Raiders is effectively finished,” Carr’s agent, Tim Younger, posted on Twitter. “Relationships can end but, as in this case, there is a treasure trove of memories and friendships that will remain. This also includes a special bond with his fans. These will never end.

“Teams constantly search for franchise players who invest themselves completely, as Derek did for nearly a decade, maybe even to a fault. This is his real legacy, far more than any of the many team records he holds. He always showed up first; he played hurt, and through some tumultuous times, he led from the front and never complained.”

Carr thanked both the Oakland and Las Vegas fans as well as the entire organization.

“It’s especially hard to say goodbye because I can honestly say that I gave you (the fans) everything I had, every single day, in season, and in the offseason,” Carr wrote. “It certainly wasn’t perfect, but I hope that I was able to leave you with more than a few great memories as Raider fans.”

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