Breakups don’t get any uglier in the NFL than the stunning split Wednesday between the Las Vegas Raiders and quarterback Derek Carr.
Carr has reportedly left the Raiders, according to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe. According to the report, Carr “left the team, with their permission, to avoid being a distraction over the final two weeks of the season.”
After being informed of his benching, Raiders QB Derek Carr has left the team, with their permission, to avoid being a distraction over the final two weeks of the season, according to a source.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) December 28, 2022
The news came just a few hours after head coach Josh McDaniels announced the team would bench Carr for the remainder of the season and play backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham. The Raiders were a disappointing 6-9 this season under Carr, who led the NFL in interceptions with 14.
According to ESPN, the Raiders want to “preserve his health for a potential trade this offseason.”
The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback would definitely generate some interest in the trade market, but it’s almost unheard of that a team still in playoff contention — as the Raiders are — would bench their starting QB to protect his health and trade value.
Carr’s and the Raiders’ mutual decision that it’s best for him to leave the team immediately is irrelevant at this point, if he’s not playing. If the Raiders don’t want to risk injury to Carr as the starter, he’s still subject to injury if he hangs around and gets into a game as the backup.
