Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr’s nine-year career as the team’s starter came to an abrupt ending with just two weeks left in the 2022 NFL season.
That’s when Carr and Raiders brass made the decision to mutually part ways following first-year head coach Josh McDaniels opting to bench Carr for the final two games of the season.
Carr reportedly agreed to stay away from the team to limit confusion, and since then he’s kept a low profile.
David Carr Speaks At Church
That is until Sunday, Jan. 15, when he spoke at a church in Vegas. There, the former Fresno State Bulldogs standout didn’t throw anyone under the bus, but he did speak of how the demotion and separation from the only NFL team he’s known as a pro feels.
“It’s easy to point the finger at other people. It’s easy to blame others. Trust me, I’ve got a lot of family members trying to do that for me,” Carr said to the audience.
“But I say, you know what, I’m not going to do that.” he continued. “That’s comfortable for me. That really could be a comfortable place but I’m going to step out of that. I’m going to say I just can’t wait to be better myself. I’m just going to keep striving to be the best version of me that I can be. I’m going to keep trying to be better for whatever I do next … It’s uncomfortable. It’s so easy to do it the other way. It’s so easy to do this,” he said, pointing a finger toward the audience.
Carr seems to be taking the high road for how things ended in Vegas. The franchise’s longtime signal caller had the rug swept from underneath him by a new head coach and new general manager, who have plans to bring in their own quarterback for next season. It’s the unfortunate side of the business, that a new regime usually wants their one guy under center, no matter how consistent the current leader has been. That’s especially true if they aren’t winning.
While Carr’s time in Vegas may have come to an end, all is not lost for a quarterback who’s passed for 35,000 yards, 217 touchdowns and 99 interceptions in his career.
Carr’s win-loss record is just 63-79, but during his time with the Raiders the team always ranked in the bottom of the league defensively, which played a huge role in many of those 79 losses.
What Team Will Derek Carr Go To?
The Jets, Commanders and others will be looking to add someone like Carr as their QB, so he’ll have options.
The Raiders and Carr are currently working on a viable trade and if it’s not completed by Feb. 15, Carr could be released. The two sides are also working to sort the guaranteed money and Carr’s no-trade clause.
From NFL Now: The wheels are in motion on a potential trade of #Raiders QB Derek Carr. pic.twitter.com/tjue4HFiqp
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2023
What Happens With Davante Adams
The suddenness of the Raiders parting ways with Carr makes the organization’s relationship with star wideout Davante Adams a bit tenuous. Adams’ main reason for coming to Vegas the opportunity to play with Carr, his former college quarterback and close friend. With Carr now out of the picture, Raiders brass must figure out who’ll be their next signal caller, and it has to be someone who can get the game’s best receiver the football.
Raiders WR Davante Adams Wants Input on QB Situation https://t.co/LW3lkqepe1 #nfl #topstories #news
— Berkley Bear (@BerkleyBearNews) January 5, 2023
Adams recently said that while he did come to Vegas to play with Carr, his dream was to be a Raider starter way before Carr was drafted there in 2014, and for that his desire to stay with the team hasn’t changed. But he also would like to be kept in the loop on what leadership plans to do concerning the position.
