Derek Carr set to be released after refusing to be traded
Derek Carr is not going to help the Las Vegas Raiders in any capacity this offseason. On Sunday it was reported that Carr would not be approving a trade to another team. Carr’s contract includes a no-trade clause and he has decided to exercise it.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Carr has capped off his visit with the New Orleans Saints and has informed the Raiders that he’s not accepting a trade there or anywhere else. That doesn’t mean Carr won’t eventually sign with the Saints, but it does mean he’s not doing the Raiders any favors as they show him the door this offseason.
Sources: #Raiders QB Derek Carr has informed the team he won’t accept a trade to the #Saints or any other team. The team is expected to release him and he’ll be a top free agent. pic.twitter.com/k0LcLRlDOo
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 12, 2023
News broke earlier in the week that Carr and his wife had flown down to New Orleans for a visit. The trip speculated news that Carr would be traded for at least a 3rd round pick. Many hoped that the Saints would go as far as to trade one of the first-round picks from the Sean Payton trade.
https://twitter.com/RaidTheKingdom/status/1623111542651736065?s=20&t=uLwVA0ddw6on_-SEqvqXRA
That transaction clearly is not going to happen. Derek Carr exercising his no-trade clause is a clear shot at the organization for benching him for the final two games of the season. The Raiders have no choice but to keep Carr and pay him his $40.4 million guaranteed or cut him from the roster by February 15.
It is all but certain the relationship between the Raiders and Carr is fractured beyond repair and he will be released by February 15. Carr will not help the Raiders receive any draft compensation by trading him and he will become a free agent.
The Derek Carr era in Las Vegas ends on a sour note certainly but it is expected. Carr will definitely be wined and dined by a number of quarterback-needy teams as he will be one of the top free agents available this offseason. The Raiders meanwhile will have to explore other free agent quarterback options or look to the draft.