Derek Carr’s time with the Raiders may have already come to an end.
Sunday against the 49ers, the Raiders will start Jarrett Stidham instead quarterback Derek Carr, head coach Josh McDaniels confirmed on Wednesday. Carr will not play against the 49ers, with Chase Garbers serving as Stidham’s backup.
Before the news became public, many reports suggested that Carr’s nine-year time with the Raiders could end if he is benched.
Vic Tafur, who covers the Raiders for The Athletic, tweeted on Wednesday, “If the Raiders bench Derek Carr on Sunday, it will be the fourth game he’s missed in nine seasons, and the first not due to injury.” If he is injured, his salary of $33 million next year and $7.5 million in 2024 becomes guaranteed, and the front staff has gathered for the past two nights to determine a course of action.
While it’s possible Carr would have some trade value, ProFootballTalk founder Mike Florio wrote that a benching would be a “clear precursor” to a release, given that Carr’s $40 million due in 2023 would become payable at the same time a trade would become permissible at the start of the new league year. Consequently, if a team agreed to trade for Carr but then reneged, the Raiders would be left holding the bag.
According to various sources, the Raiders’ choice on whether to sit Derek Carr could be a precursor to his release.
McDaniels addressed Carr’s possible departure from the team.
The coach told reporters on Wednesday, “There will be much to sort through after the season is over.”
Carr has thrown 14 interceptions this season, the most in the NFL, and threw three in last week’s loss to the Steelers.
The Raiders (6-9) have underperformed in McDaniels’ debut season as head coach. They have lost four games in which they led by 10 or more points at the half.
Carr has been the Raiders’ starting quarterback since 2014. If the team decides to move on from him, it would be a huge change in leadership.
»Derek Carr’s career with the Raiders may be over after being benched by Josh McDaniels«