NEWSLETTER
We have some movement on the Derek Carr front this evening. Even if it is minor. According to Ian Rapoport, the New Orleans Saints have requested permission to meet with the Raiders quarterback. The Raiders have granted permission for Carr and the Saints to meet.
Once upon a time, Dennis Allen was the head coach of the Raiders. Allen made a switch at quarterback, inserting Derek Carr as the starter. So, there’s plenty of familiarity between Allen and Carr. As Rapoport pointed out, Carr’s meeting with the Saints is due diligence at this point, and no trade is imminent.
Still, it’s interesting to see the Raiders loosening their grip on the situation with time dwindling between now and the February 15 deadline when Carr’s contract becomes fully guaranteed. As recently as last week, Carr’s camp insisted that the Raiders hadn’t given the quarterback and agent permission to speak with other teams regarding a trade.
Of course, then they did, reportedly. In the single sourced-news breaking cycle, Adam Schefter reported that Carr was allowed to speak with teams about 24 hours after the contrary report surfaced.
But even Schefter’s comments made it seem as though the Raiders were allowing Carr to speak with teams that had already agreed to compensation terms with the Raiders. Making it more of a courtesy gesture for Carr, who can veto any trade with his no-trade clause.
The trick to all of this is that Carr holds a no-trade clause and can veto any trade. The Raiders must find a partner for a trade that works for Carr and them. The team receiving Carr has to understand that he comes with $32.9 million in 2022, $41.9 million in 2023, and $41.2 million in 2023, with a $100,000 workout bonus included each season owed.
These dynamics make it highly unlikely that the Raiders will trade Carr. Or get the compensation package they want if they do.
I suppose something is better than nothing if you’re the Raiders. Still, time is running out for Las Vegas. They have a week to get this done or cut him.
