The Las Vegas Raiders have not granted quarterback Derek Carr permission to speak to potential trade partners, multiple outlets reported.
The Raiders have to trade or cut their all-time leading passer before Feb. 15, the date his $32.9 million base salary for 2023 and another $7.5 million for 2024 become fully guaranteed.
Carr, 31, has veto power over any trade.
The Raiders benched him for the final two games of the 2022 regular season in favor of Jarrett Stidham. Carr then left the team, with permission, to avoid being a distraction. He tweeted a farewell message to Raiders fans on Jan. 12: “Raider Nation it breaks my heart I didn’t get an opportunity to say goodbye in person.”
Carr apparently will get that chance this week at the Pro Bowl Games in Las Vegas. He announced on Tuesday that he had been named as a replacement for the showcase, his fourth Pro Bowl selection.
“Well… maybe this invitation got lost in the mail from past seasons but I’m going back to pro bowl #4,” he posted on Twitter. “See you soon Vegas!”
A trade would appear to be beneficial to both parties. The Raiders could land a draft pick or a veteran player in return for the nine-year starter, while Carr could get to hand-pick his landing spot.
So what’s the hangup? The Athletic speculated that the Raiders “might be concerned” that Carr’s agent, Tim Younger, would rather work out a free-agent deal for his client than help out with trade terms. Younger declined comment for that story.
Carr completed 60.8 percent of his passes for 3,522 yards with 24 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 15 games this season. He is the franchise’s all-time leader in passing yards (35,222) and touchdowns (217).
–Field Level Media
