While the Raiders have two games left this season — and the playoffs are still mathematically possible — their plans for this offseason seem clear.
Las Vegas is expected to explore trading options for quarterback Derek Carr, sources say. The veteran, who has started in nearly every regular-season game for the Raiders since the 2014 season, will almost certainly be moving to a new team for 2023.
In his place today, Jarrett Stidham will face the 49ers, his chance in two games to set up for next season. Meanwhile, Carr has been off the team for the past two weeks to avoid distractions.
There are scenarios where Carr stays with the Raiders — the 49ers informally bid farewell to Jimmy Garoppolo last season and he still plays for them — but this is the likely outcome for Carr.
Once the season is over, preparation for the next season kicks in and what happens next with Carr is in full focus. He is expected to join other accomplished veteran starters such as Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo and others as QBs available through free agency or acting this offseason.
Las Vegas head coach Josh McDaniels was clear about why the Raiders made the move – which owner Mark Davis said sources backed – when speaking to reporters last week.
“None of us are happy with where we are,” McDaniels told reporters on Wednesday. “But we think it’s an opportunity to evaluate a younger player who hasn’t had much time to play. Derek was great. He understands the scenario we are in.”
Carr, a three-time Pro Bowler, once said he would rather quit football than play for another team. But make no mistake: Carr has no intentions of retiring and has no plans to date it. Sources say he is telling people close to him that he has his best football ahead of him.
Decisions about Carr must come quickly. Based on the terms of his three-year, $121.5 million extension he signed prior to the season, his 2023 base salary of $32.9 million and an additional $7.5 million will be his base fully guaranteed for 2024 if he’s listed on the third day of the waiver period — or three days after the Super Bowl.
Any decision as to what comes next, whether a trade or a full disclosure if a trade fails, would be made beforehand.
While no deal may be official until the start of the league year, deals are routinely agreed in principle before being finalized in mid-March. Carr also has a no-trade clause in his contract and the different sides would all have to be on the same page to close such a deal.
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