Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr will enter the final year of his five-year $125 million contract extension in the 2022 season.
Don’t expect Carr to go anywhere.
Newly Appointed Raiders General Manager Dave Ziegler and Head Coach Josh McDaniels spoke highly of Carr when both were asked about the quarterback during their introductory press conference Monday.
“Derek has won a lot of games in this league and we’ve competed a few times,” said McDaniels, the former New England offensive coordinator and ex-head coach of the Denver Broncos.
“I have a lot of respect for him. He certainly did a good job leading their attack this year. I spoke to him yesterday. We had a great conversation. I am looking forward to actually meeting him and getting to know him as person, as a person, and then get to work developing our crime this year into what it’s going to be But there’s no question that we have the capacity and ability to win with Derek here We all know that.
“I look forward to the challenge of trying to grow, not just Derek, but everyone on the roster to try to reach our potential. I look forward to our relationship.”
Carr has stated that he would probably retire rather than play for another team, and he has never gone against his word. He said he wants to bring a Super Bowl to the Raiders — a team he grew up for with his uncle, Lon Boyett, who played for the franchise in 1978.
Missing a No. 1 receiver? No problem
Despite not having a number 1 receiver in recent seasons, Carr still used what he had with him and still made it work.
Darren Waller was named a Pro Bowl tight end last season after hitting 1,000 yards in 2020 and 2019.
Hunter Renfrow was named to the Pro Bowl this season after finishing with 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns. He is the first Raiders wide receiver to hit 1000 yards since Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree each achieved that in 2016.
Carr has 30 game-winning drives – six last season – and this season has played such a pivotal role in keeping the team together with turmoil that hit the team. The Raiders made it to the playoffs, finishing the season 10-7.
Patriots were interested in Carr
The Patriots reportedly tried to act for 30-year-old Carr ahead of the 2021 season. Instead, the Patriots drafted Mac Jones, who then went on to go on for 3,801 yards and 22 touchdowns.
“For McDaniels, he now inherits a quarterback in Derek Carr that he always liked,” NFL analyst Ian Rapoport said on Sunday. “Basically, the Patriots tried to trade for Carr for the season. Now McDaniels and Ziegler get him. Another day in Las Vegas.”
Ziegler said he has already spoken to Carr on Sunday and is looking forward to learning more about him.
“I think the one thing we all understand is that there’s going to be a process where we learn Derek, Derek teaches us, and all those pieces fit together,” Ziegler said.
“I think that will be the first step, building a relationship, understanding what Derek does well. Derek understands what Josh and the offensive staff are trying to build, and I think when that partnership works, you kind of see how everything fits together. I think until you see how everything – you have to see how everything fits together and works from there. We’re just really excited to have Derek here and get to know him and get to know his strengths and get to work with him in our system.”