Raiders to release Derek Carr on Tuesday

With the Tremendous Bowl within the rearview mirror, Derek Carr‘s assure vesting date is quick approaching. The Raiders don’t plan to attend till the deadline. They are going to launch their longtime beginning quarterback Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com studies (video link).

The Raiders would have till 3pm CT Wednesday to discover a Carr commerce accomplice, however the veteran passer has already indicated he will not waive his no-trade clause. That leaves the Raiders with little alternative right here, given their actions up to now. They are going to lower Carr to keep away from paying the $40.4M assure.

This distinctive free company derby will function a couple of groups. The Saints, whom Albert Breer of SI.com notes are the one staff to ship the Raiders a Carr commerce supply, can be one. The Jets are believed to view Carr as an Aaron Rodgers backup plan, whereas Rapoport notes the Panthers, Titans and maybe others can be within the combine.

Tuesday’s transaction won’t solely finish this uncommon divorce and spur an enchanting pursuit — one that can put groups to choices on going after Carr now or ready for different choices later — however it would additionally finish the Raiders’ longest-running partnership with a beginning quarterback. Though Ken Stabler was a Raider longer than Carr, the Corridor of Famer didn’t start his run as a full-time starter till his sixth season (1973). The Raiders wanted Carr from the leap, plugging him into the lineup in Week 1 of his rookie season. Carr ended up beginning 142 video games as a Raider, however the staff stopped that streak abruptly with a benching forward of its Week 17 recreation final season.

The Raiders, who will solely be hit with $5.6M in useless cash by this launch, gauged Carr’s slot in Josh McDaniels’ offense through their three-year extension settlement. However that deal’s escape hatch — the Feb. 15 assure vesting date — will sign Las Vegas’ quarterback search. Carr always landed in commerce rumors, however the Raiders held onto him via the Jack Del Rio and Jon Gruden regimes. The Raiders didn’t have a lot luck at quarterback within the years instantly earlier than taking Carr within the 2014 second spherical, with the Carson Palmer and JaMarcus Russell strikes particularly costing the staff dearly. However McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler will exchange Carr this 12 months.

Carr, 32 in March, may have been a possible chip eventually 12 months’s commerce deadline, however The Athletic’s Vic Tafur notes (subscription required) the Raiders weren’t prepared to tug the plug at that time. Late in a season that noticed Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow sidelined for prolonged stretches, the Silver and Black acquired there. Davante Adams has mentioned he stays dedicated to the Raiders, regardless of Carr driving him to hunt out Vegas as a vacation spot final 12 months.

Carr and his spouse trekked to New Orleans for a Raiders-approved go to — the one assembly the staff permitted — and the assembly lasted two days. Carr wished to satisfy with each staff, per Tafur, however the Raiders fearful the Tenth-year veteran would use these summits to work out a free company settlement. Now, as a substitute of Carr following the Matthew Stafford or Alex Smith winter commerce paths, he can be out there. Connections to a number of groups are positive to observe.

The Raiders wished a third-round decide. It’s unclear if the Saints provided that, however they’ll have an opportunity to woo Carr in the marketplace. New Orleans would want to backload a Carr contract, being almost $60M over the cap. Whereas February cap gymnastics are previous hat for GM Mickey Loomis, the Saints seem set to enter a aggressive chase for a free agent quarterback for the primary time since they signed Drew Brees in 2006. New Orleans, which waded deep into the Deshaun Watson commerce sweepstakes final 12 months, is unlikely to retain Jameis Winston and has not been aggressive in making an attempt to re-sign Andy Dalton. Carr seems the goal, although he can be for different groups as nicely.

The Jets’ current inquiry about Rodgers’ availability is sensible, with Carr about to hit the market. New York’s could be essentially the most intriguing resolution: go after Carr now or danger hanging out on Rodgers. Jimmy Garoppolo additionally looms as a later potential Rodgers comfort prize — for each the Jets and Raiders — and the Titans’ involvement right here factors to Ryan Tannehill being out there as nicely.

The Titans have used Tannehill as their main starter for the previous 4 seasons, and whereas the staff promoted OC Tim Kelly, a Carr chase makes Tannehill’s Tennessee standing tenuous. The Titans can save $27M by designating Tannehill as a post-June 1 lower. A previous restructure would make a normal Tannehill launch extra pricey for the AFC South franchise. Although the Titans stored Tannehill within the loop relating to Kelly’s rent, per Titans.com’s Jim Wyatt, one season stays on his contract.

Carolina has sought a long-term QB reply since slicing Cam Newton in 2020. However the Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield efforts fell in need of expectations. Frank Reich went via a couple of veterans in Indianapolis as nicely, which might make the staff diving again into the veteran market fascinating. The Panthers maintain the No. 9 total decide, placing them in play for a quarterback decide or a trade-up maneuver. A Carr acquisition would presumably forestall both.