Ian Rapoport reported during Super Bowl weekend that the Las Vegas Raiders are finally extending quarterback Derek Carr. After a tumultuous 2021 season and a 2022 offseason that started with his third regime change, the signal-caller might receive a long-term commitment from the Silver and Black.
Raiders prepared to commit to QB Derek Carr with extension (via @RapSheet)https://t.co/FYWoqjTWtV pic.twitter.com/cBZCwfXYtA
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) February 13, 2022
If anyone has made more despite working with less, it’s Carr. His loyalty to the Raiders organization has been proven time and again. Guiding the team to the playoffs, despite overwhelming adversity. For all he’s done for the team, Carr deserves to be rewarded. His $19.877 million salary is not guaranteed and is the final installment of a five-year, $125 million mega-deal signed in 2016.
Getting his due…
Stats are like a two-headed penny. Numbers can be skewed, making a player look good and also bad. However, a trip to the playoffs makes the season a success. Being able to win double-digit games while enduring a change in leadership is never easy. No other quarterback in the league had as much on his plate as Carr did.
The New Raiders’ general manager, Dave Ziegler, has the tough decision of whether or not to extend Carr’s contract. With $20.5M of cap space currently available, an extension is the easiest way to double the available funds heading into free agency. So that begs the question, what will he do?
What is Derek Carr worth?
According to Spotrac, Carr’s market value is $36.1M per year. That would equate to a four-year contract worth $144.78 million. Interestingly enough, Spotrac has Carr ranked as the fifth-rated quarterback. If ratings were based on yardage and attempts versus touchdowns, Pro Football Focus had Carr ranked as the 13th overall quarterback.
Over The Cap has a valuation scale that averages out to $24 million a year. In Weeks 1-3, 6-7, and 12, he was playing at a level deserving of $30M+/year. He was playing at a level unworthy of $20 million per year in Weeks 4–5, 9, 11, 15, and 17.
How much does Carr get paid?
Where does Carr’s ultimate value lie? Somewhere comfortably in the middle is what Ziegler must aim for. The New England Patriots’ way is to set a number/value per player and not exceed it. It is doubtful that the new Raiders management will break the bank. It’s also not likely that Carr will receive the protection of a no-trade clause.
In a perfect world, Carr accepts an extension and gets a raise. One which is fair to both him and the team. A three-year deal in the $28–33 million per year range would be ideal. In addition to a $40 million signing bonus and two years that are fully guaranteed. Finally, a third-year team option, bringing the total to three years and $100M, with $66M guaranteed.
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*Top Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
