Is Derek Carr a free agent? NFL insider reveals latest on Raiders QB
After rumors of a possible trade, Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr won't be traded after all and is expected to be released from the team at any point.
From Sunday: #Raiders QB Derek Carr is being released after informing the team he won’t accept a trade to the #Saints or anyone else.
Full story: nfl.com/news/derek-car…
Las Vegas informed Carr shortly after their regular season concluded that they would be moving forward without him and that they were exploring options to trade.
While there was some interest between the Raiders and the New Orleans Saints in a potential trade, Carr informed the team that he wouldn't accept a trade to the Saints or any other team. NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero reported that there was a trade proposal for Carr, but his contract was an issue.
Carr can decline any trade because he has a no-trade clause in his current contract.
Carr will be released before Feb 15, when the team would owe him a $40.4 million bonus. Upon releasing him, he will only have a $5.6 million dead cap hit, but will save the team $29 million in cap space this offseason.
Those saying the Raiders are stupid for releasing Derek Carr need to look at those cap numbers. Pre 6/1 release saves them another $29M in cap space as he only has a $5.6M dead cap hit. twitter.com/rapsheet/statu…
Since Carr will be released in the coming days, he will have the upper hand in free agency on landing with a team first, as he won't have to wait for the new league year to begin on March 15 to negotiate with teams.
The Las Vegas Raiders could use some money that they will save by releasing Derek Carr for retaining Josh Jacobs
The Las Vegas Raiders will gain about $29 million when they release Carr. This will certainly help them do some work in free agency. All-Pro running back Josh Jacobs, who led the NFL in rushing yards, is a free agent and doesn't want to play on the franchise tag. He recorded a career-high 1,653 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.
The team chose not to pick up his fifth-year option at the conclusion of the season, and this will allow him to become a free agent.
While he said that he would be a hero-turned-villain if he were to be tagged, he could potentially holdout like former running back Le'Veon Bell did with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With Carr being released, the team will have more wiggle room to work with and it will be easier to agree to a long-term deal with Jacobs.