The split between the Las Vegas Raiders and quarterback Derek Carr is a foregone conclusion, but the question remains whether the team will be able to deal away their former starter or release him outright if they are unable to come to terms on a trade.
Carr also has a no-trade clause, so he can control which team he is potentially dealt to, giving him huge power in this situation. And apparently, Carr is already doing some research on potentially interested teams who could look to trade for him.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Carr has begun doing homework on potential teams looking to trade for him, which include the New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, and Washington Commanders:
“Derek Carr, he will be traded; that is the expectation,” Fowler said. “I’m told that he’s started to do his homework on prospective teams. He has a no-trade clause, so he’s got a lot of power here. The teams I talk to expect a variation of the Saints, the Commanders, and the Jets to all inquire.
“I’m told some teams have already made some early initial calls to the Raiders but still in the process of coming out of the season. There’s not a lot of traction yet. Expect this to heat up closer to the Super Bowl.”
The Raiders have until February 15 to find a trade partner for Carr otherwise, the quarterback will be released as his guarantee for $40 million will kick in. The Raiders would obviously prefer a trade and potentially get back draft capital, and the market seems to be heating up.
All three of the inquiring teams mentioned here weren’t too far off from a playoff appearance, and an upgrade at quarterback could get them over that hump. A move to the Saints would reunite Carr with former Raiders coach Dennis Allen who now runs things in New Orleans, while the Jets would give Carr a dominating defense that he has never had throughout his time with the Raiders. Washington is an intriguing option as well though both they and the Jets are looking for a new offensive coordinator.
Carr has made it clear in the past that he wanted to remain with the Raiders, but with that no longer being a possibility, he is doing all of the work necessary to ensure he ends up in the best situation for him to succeed. For the Raiders, a trade market building for Carr only increases what they could bring back in a trade and is truly a win-win for both sides.
