Carr writes that the fire to win a championship is still burning inside of him and it is one that “no man can extinguish.” He also writes he will continue pursuing that championship with a new team in a new city.
And with that, it seems the Carr era of Raiders football has reached its conclusion.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, there is incentive for the Raiders to begin this process now due to the fact that on February 15 Carr’s $40.5 million salary over the next two years becomes fully guaranteed.
That is not something the Raiders are going to want to deal with.
Carr also has a no-trade clause in his contract, which should help him dictate where he ends up with his next team.
Carr is an interesting name quarterback market because there is a lot to like about him as a possible addition, and a lot to not like about him.
On one hand, even with his poor finish to the 2022 season and trip to the bench in favor of Jarett Stidham he is still a very good NFL quarterback. Not one of the league’s elites, but certainly among the top-half of the starters. Prior to this season he finished 13th, 10th, and ninth respectively in passer rating between 2021 and 2019. A team can compete with that sort of quarterback play.
The problem with Carr is mostly his salary. Because a quarterback is so important and valuable, even the mid-level starters get paid top dollar. That can wreck a team’s salary cap outlook if they are paying a quarterback in the 10-15 range a significant chunk of their salary cap space. That would be true for any team that acquires Carr.
But somebody is going to look beyond that and go for the short-term upgrade.
So what would the market look like? You have to think teams that feel they are only a quarterback away from contending but do not own a top draft pick would be interested. Carr would also probably prefer that scenario over a rebuilding team that is still years away.
The Washington Commanders seem like the most obvious team given the failure of the Carson Wentz acquisition and how painfully close they were to a playoff spot.
If Tom Brady leaves Tampa Bay, whether through retirement or free agency, the Buccaneers would also be in need of a veteran quarterback option.
And then there are the New York Jets. They have the defense to contend right now, while their 2022 season was held back by a jarring lack of talent at quarterback. Carr, combined with that defense and those skill position players could be a serious playoff threat next season.
