Report: Derek Carr Won't Accept Trade, Expected to be Released
News 2/12/23
Embattled quarterback Derek Carr has informed the Las Vegas Raiders he will not accept a trade to the New Orleans Saints or any other team, per NFL Media.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Raiders were seeking a third-round pick as compensation for Carr, who has veto power over any trade. It appears now he is exercising that contractual right and will test the free-agent market upon his expected release this coming week.
The 33rd Team's Ari Meirov discussed this possibility last week when it was first reported Carr would be meeting with the Saints.
"Carr could say, 'You know what? I’m not going to approve a trade, I’d rather get cut,'" Meirov said. "The benefit Carr has then is if he gets cut three days after the Super Bowl before that money guarantees, he essentially would have a full month’s head start on free agency over everybody else. All these other players who are about to become free agents have to wait until March 15 (when free agency opens at the start of the new league year). Carr could start to talk to teams and visit with teams in early February."
Carr maintains the leverage in this scenario, as he will be able to oversee a bidding war between quarterback-needy teams for his services. The Saints could still be interested, although they might have cap limitations. The New York Jets have reportedly inquired about the availability of Aaron Rodgers, but if they lose out on trading for the Packers quarterback, they could view Carr as a consolation prize.
The Jets hired Todd Downing, who has connections to Carr, to be their passing game coordinator on Monday. Downing served as the Raiders' quarterbacks coach in 2015 and 2016, and he was their offensive coordinator in 2017. Carr made the Pro Bowl in all three of those seasons.
There likely would be several other suitors for Carr as well.
Carr reunited with his college teammate Davante Adams this past season, but it didn't go well. The Raiders struggled, finishing with a 6-11 record in Josh McDaniels' first season as head coach. Carr and McDaniels reportedly struggled to work together, leading to Jarrett Stidham starting the final two games of the season, and Carr essentially being told his services were no longer needed.
The Raiders must trade or release Carr by Wednesday or his contract will become guaranteed and Las Vegas will have to pay him $40.4 million over the next two years.