The Raiders have finally authorized Derek Carr to speak with potential trade partners, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.
“Raiders already have granted QB Derek Carr permission to speak with other teams interested in trading for him that have also agreed to compensation with Las Vegas,” Schefter tweeted.
Raiders already have granted QB Derek Carr permission to speak with other teams interested in trading for him that have also agreed to compensation with Las Vegas, per sources.
It's the same arrangement the Texans had with quarterback Deshaun Watson last off-season.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 3, 2023
Schefter’s caveat about Deshaun Watson is interesting as Carr maintained in a conversation with Stephen Holder of ESPN on Thursday that he and his representatives were not yet authorized to speak to potential trade partners. While the Raiders went ahead and granted that permission on Friday, it should be noted that Carr has a no-trade clause in his contract and he told Holder that he would use it if he deemed it necessary.
“Derek Carr last night here at the Pro Bowl: ‘It’s nice having that no-trade (clause)'” Holder tweeted.
Derek Carr last night here at the Pro Bowl: “It’s nice having that no-trade (clause).” 😬 https://t.co/MZeFGSyzcS
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) February 3, 2023
Carr, who was surprisingly elected to the Pro Bowl despite a poor season with the Raiders, was candid about his current situation. He told Holder that he has no intention of extending the Feb. 15 trigger date on his contract, in which more than $40 million in guarantees are set to kick in.
With the Raiders now giving Carr permission to seek a trade, it appears that Las Vegas is making a last-ditch effort to trade Carr prior to the deadline. Though, it’s hard to envision that any team would be willing to give up any serious compensation when considering the type of money Carr is owed over the next three seasons.
Under current terms of his contract, here is what an acquiring team would owe Derek Carr:
2022: $32.9M salary, $100K workout bonus, $33M cap hit
2023: $41.9M salary, $100K workout bonus, $42M cap hit
2024: $41.2M salary, $100K workout bonus, $41.3M cap hit
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 3, 2023
In all likelihood, Carr will be released, but it’s definitely not for a lack of trying on the Raiders’ part.