Since his benching was announced after Christmas, Derek Carr has been away from the Las Vegas Raiders and has remained radio silent until Thursday. For the first time, Carr put out a statement on his social media, thanking the fans, his teammates, and the organization for the memories.
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— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) January 12, 2023
Final words from the long-time Raiders’ signal-caller
Far from a fairytale ending, the Carr era ended abruptly and with a wide range of emotional outpourings. Carr has produced records and many memories, good and bad. But he’s earned the right to be able to go where he wants and play football with a more stable franchise.
Once a Raider always a Raider. Love him or hate him, he was always must watch. https://t.co/TOVYk8OG2n
— Phil Robinson III (@PhilRobinsonIII) January 12, 2023
Fall from grace for Derek Carr
As noble and diplomatic as always, Carr seeks to leave on good terms. However, good teammates don’t quit on their team with two games remaining and say they don’t want to be a distraction. There wasn’t a mutual agreement for Carr to walk off into the sunset; he requested it. According to the CBA, head coach Josh McDaniels cannot request or ask him to stay away from the facility or team.
Excuses and false narratives have always formed a protective buffer around Carr. Why, primarily because he’s such a great guy? His play was good, but not quite good enough to consistently finish the job. And fans, as well as organizational love for the person and the man, trumped the player’s reality.
Carr has endured a lot of extracurricular shenanigans during his tenure with the Raiders. Regardless of how it ended, he’s earned the right to play wherever he wants to play. Start fresh and try to revise his career. Once a Raider, always a Raider.
*Top Photo: Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal