Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr will likely be playing for a new team in 2023. Dec 4, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
NFLBy Matt Clapp on

Derek Carr wasn’t even in attendance for the Las Vegas Raiders‘ final two games of the 2022 NFL season, with the team choosing to bench him in favor of Jarrett Stidham. All indications are that the Raiders will trade Carr, who had been the team’s starting quarterback for nine straight seasons.

This all makes for an awkward situation at the 2023 Pro Bowl Games.

On Tuesday, Carr was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate to replace Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jim Burrow on the AFC squad. Carr will represent the Raiders at the Pro Bowl Games. Oh, and the event is at the Raiders’ home, Allegiant Stadium.

The Raiders even announced the news on social media.

Carr also addressed the Pro Bowl selection on Twitter: “😂😂😂😂 Well… maybe this invitation got lost in the mail from past seasons but I’m going back to pro bowl #4. See you soon Vegas!”

Additionally, Carr retweeted his agent, Tim Younger: “Congrats to @derekcarrqb on your 4th Pro Bowl invite as QB of the @Raiders. Not exactly a storybook ending, but fun way to kick off a new beginning.”

There’s also this wild nugget pointed out by Raiders beat writer Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal: “Per Article 38 sections A/B of the CBA, if Derek Carr gets seriously hurt in the Pro Bowl the @Raiders would have to pay his 2023 salary in full.”

So, that certainly could create an even crazier situation!

The NFL world has had plenty of reaction — and jokes — to Carr representing the Raiders in the Pro Bowl Games.

It’s the fourth time Carr has been selected to the Pro Bowl, and it’s the first time since 2017. He threw 24 touchdown passes, 14 interceptions, and put together an 86.3 passer rating over 15 games with the Raiders in 2022.

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

View all posts by Matt Clapp