Derek Carr took one last emotional curtain call.
With his fate decided by the Raiders benching him before Week 17, the team’s longtime quarterback penned a goodbye note to Raiders fans, which he posted on social media Friday morning (AEDT). The 31-year-old also made it clear that he’s not done playing.
“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 wrote on Instagram. “That fire burning inside of me to win a championship still rages. A fire no man can extinguish; only God. So I look forward to a new city and a new team who, no matter the circumstance, will get everything I have. Winning a championship is what I’ve always wanted and what I will continue to work towards.”
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First Round Playoffs
Carr, the Raiders’ starting quarterback for nine seasons until he was benched by first-year coach Josh McDaniels, appeared in his first playoff game last year, a wildcard loss to the Bengals under interim coach Rich Bisaccia; Carr was injured and missed the Raiders’ 2016-17 wildcard loss to the Texans.
After a 10-7 campaign in 2021, expectations went up for Las Vegas this season after they acquired star receiver Davante Adams from the Packers and gave him a five-year, $140 million ($A201m) contract. But in what was supposed to be a loaded AFC West, the Raiders finished in third place at 6-11.
“Raider Nation it breaks my heart I didn’t get an opportunity to say goodbye in person,” Carr wrote. “We certainly have been on a roller coaster in our 9 years together. From the bottom of my heart, I am so grateful and appreciative of the years of support you gave to my family and me. We had our share of both heart breaking moments and thrilling game winning drives, and it always felt like you were there next to me.
“It’s especially hard to say goodbye because I can honestly say that I gave you everything I had, every single day, in season, and in the off season. 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.”
Carr, a three-time Pro Bowler, is under contract for three more years, having signed a $121.5m ($A179m) contract extension this past off-season. He’s set to make $32.9 million in 2023 and has another $7.5 million guaranteed for 2024. However, the Raiders can cut Carr within three days of the Super Bowl and it would cost only a $5.625 million cap hit.
“Thank you to the city of Oakland for taking us in,” Carr wrote. “Thank you to the city of Las Vegas for allowing us to proudly call you home. Thank you to the organisation, my teammates, all my coaches, staff, and everyone that helped me these last 9 years in those 2 buildings. Thanks to all of Raider Nation that supported, encouraged, pushed, and uplifted me at different times along this journey. Raider Nation truly is special.”
Having been cast aside by the Raiders less than 12 months after signing a contract extension, Derek Carr now holds all the power thanks to a ‘no trade’ clause in his contract meaning any trade would need to be approved by him first. That means that no matter whether the Raiders decide to trade him or eventually cut him, Carr will get final say on where he lands next. An extremely important detail for a 31-year-old quarterback who has still harbours the desire to win a championship – having spent his entire career surrounded by instability, turmoil, and a terrible defence.
As for Las Vegas, all eyes will now be on veteran quarterbacks Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers to see if either is eager for a reunion of sorts in the city of sin (McDaniels was Brady’s longtime offensive co-ordinator in New England, while Rodgers and Adams were an extremely productive QB/WR duo for years in Green Bay).
While it is still unclear exactly where Carr will land or who will be under centre for the Raiders come next season, one thing that is certain is Las Vegas’ next move is critical to ensuring the franchise doesn’t return to the quarterback and playoff wilderness that existed prior to Derek Carr’s arrival in 2014.
This article was originally published by the New York Post and reproduced with permission
