Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr looks to throw during the first half of an NFL game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Dec. 18, 2022. (Chris Unger/Getty Images)
By Joe Morgan
Derek Carr on Thursday said goodbye to the only NFL team he has known.
In a social media post, the Las Vegas Raiders quarterback thanked the organization and the fans, adding that he looks forward to playing with a new team in a new city.
“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.”
“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,” he continued. “It certainly wasn’t perfect, but I hope I was able to leave you with more than a few great memories as Raiders fans.”
Carr’s future in Las Vegas has been up in the air since the three-time Pro Bowler was benched for the final two games of the regular season.
It was reported Thursday that Las Vegas would begin to explore the trade market for Carr.
His $40.4 million salary over the next two seasons becomes guaranteed on Feb. 15 if he is still with the organization or agrees to a trade.
“Thank you to the city of Oakland for taking us in,” Carr said in his statement. “Thank you to the city of Las Vegas for allowing us to proudly call you home. Thank you to the organization, 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.”
Carr has a no-trade clause, and the news that the Raiders would start looking for trade partners on Thursday morning suggested that he would be involved in the process.
Carr struggled in his first season under head coach Josh McDaniels, completing just 60.8% of his passes while tossing 14 interceptions.
After making the playoffs in 2021, the Raiders finished the season 6-11 and missed the postseason.
I once said that I would rather be at home if I’m not a Raider, and I meant it, but I never imagined it would turn out this way, Carr wrote. “That desire to win a championship still burns fiercely inside of me. A fire that only God can put out.
“So I look forward to a new city and a new team who, no matter the circumstances, will get everything I have. Winning a championship is what I’ve always wanted and what I will continue to work towards.”
Carr’s agent released a statement shortly after his client did, saying that the player’s time with the Raiders “effectively is finished.”
There should be a number of suitors for Carr’s services, with multiple teams looking to shore up their quarterback positions.
