After the conclusion of offseason training activities and mandatory mini-camp, the NFL is only one month away from training camp. With camp and the start of the preseason nearing closer, teams will be ramping up their efforts to get ready for the upcoming 2017 NFL season.
The Oakland Raiders have been focused on ensuring that Derek Carr is with the team long-term after the quarterback helped lead them to their first postseason appearance since the 2002 season. Despite a leg injury that forced him to miss the remainder of the 2016 season, Carr and the Raiders were expected to reach an agreement on a contract extension prior to the beginning of training camp. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the two sides appear to be on the brink of a deal:
Raiders and Derek Carr are close to finalizing a deal expected to pay their quarterback about $25 million per year, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 21, 2017
Carr had stated that if an agreement on an extension could not be agreed upon, he would play the upcoming season without one and test the free agency waters. However, it appears the Oakland front office would rather avoid Carr potentially leaving and offer him a record deal in terms of average annual salary. The Raiders reportedly did not want to reset the quarterback market, but it seems that they have softened that stance in order to keep their franchise quarterback in town.
Schefter added the deal could be finalized as early as the end of the week, so all eyes will be on the Raiders and Carr as they continue to negotiate. A massive deal for Carr would be well-deserved after what he has done to revitalize one of the league’s premiere franchises.
