SADLY: The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback confirms his departure from the franchise but insists …..
Derek Carr: “It crushes my heart that I didn’t get to say goodbye in person… Winning a title is something I’ve always desired and something I’ll keep working for”; the Las Vegas Raiders benched the veteran quarterback for their final two games, both losses, as they finished 6-11.
“The desire to win a championship still burns within me.” Only God can put out a fire that no man can put out.
“So I’m looking forward to a new city and a new team that, no matter what, will get everything I’ve got.” Winning a title is something I’ve always wanted and will continue to strive for.”
Earlier on Thursday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Raiders have initiated the process of evaluating Carr’s trade market, ultimately terminating his time with the team.
Carr signed a three-year, $121.5 million contract agreement with the Raiders in the offseason, but the contract permits the Raiders to fire him three days after the Super Bowl for only a $5.625 million salary-cap penalty if they can’t find a trading partner.
Carr’s contract extension appeared to have partnered him with new Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels for the foreseeable future, while the purchase of his former Fresno State college teammate Davante Adams from the Green Bay Packers had some picking the Raiders to make a splash in 2022.
Carr was instead benched for the final two games of the season, both losses as the squad finished 6-11, with the 31-year-old stepping away from the team so as not to be a “distraction.”
“It breaks my heart that I didn’t get to say goodbye in person,” Carr said in a statement. “In our 9 years together, we’ve undoubtedly been on a roller coaster.
“I am grateful and appreciative of your years of support to my family and me from the bottom of my heart.”
“We had our share of heartbreaking moments as well as thrilling game-winning drives, and it always felt like you were right there with me.”
“It’s especially difficult to say goodbye because I can honestly say I gave you everything I had, every single day, in season and out.” It wasn’t flawless, but I hope I was able to leave you with more than a few excellent Raider memories.”
Carr was a second-round choice by the Raiders in 2014, and he threw for 35,222 yards, 217 touchdowns, and 99 interceptions in 142 games for the team.
In 2021, he appeared in his sole postseason game for Las Vegas, losing in the wild card round to the Cincinnati Bengals, who went on to lose in the Super Bowl to the Los Angeles Rams.
Carr’s nine-year stint with the Raiders included three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances (2015-2017), but he also endured six losing seasons.
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