Derek Carr isn’t going anywhere. That’s effectively what the Las Vegas Raiders promised when Josh McDaniels took the reins as head coach for 2022 and beyond, combined with the addition of Dave Ziegler, who joined him as the organization’s general manager — the two former New England Patriots love what they do see in Carr. Up to this point, they’ve kept their word, agreeing to a three-year, $121.5 million contract extension with Carr, according to NFL Media and confirmed by CBS Sports NFL insider Josina Anderson.
The new contract secures Carr for the 2025 season. With the many QB moves this offseason alone, Carr now continues to remain the longest-tenured quarterback in the AFC, and his new contract will combine with his current one overall for a maximum of 141 $.3 million to bid for the next four seasons – $100 million of which is overdue next three years.
The news comes not long after the Raiders made the blockbuster move of trading All-Pro Wideout Davante Adams from the Green Bay Packers, then awarding him a massive new deal that will see him to Carr for the foreseeable future binds. With two of the most important positions in football, the Raiders are poised to build on the success of the 2021 postseason, but this time with high-profile names taking the lead alongside Carr.
The three-time Pro Bowler had previously insinuated himself to Jon Gruden and former head coach and former general manager Mike Mayock, respectively, both of whom had consistently opted against moving from Carr up to that point. However, that did nothing to quell speculation that his future would be tied to whoever replaced Gruden and Mayock, but a QB prospect pool not as glittery as some other drafts combined with Carr’s overall game , supported this as well decision for Las Vegas.
Carr had his troubles on the field last season, but he finished with a career-high 4,804 passing yards and a 94.0 rating despite not having a definitive complement in passing attack for Darren Waller in the Pro Bowl. Bringing Adams into the equation creates excitement about what Carr could achieve in 2022, and his leadership in the dressing room only adds to the value of the deal.
Facing a list of controversies involving the Raiders in 2021, Carr joined former special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia in coming front and center to realign the club en route to the playoffs, where he narrowly ended the Cincinnati Bengals. Run to Super Bowl LVI on Super Wild Card Weekend — a week after a harrowing overtime win in a win-and-get-in bout against the Los Angeles Chargers.
McDaniels is hoping to build on that, and he only sees Carr as the QB to help him along the way. The deal also increases the odds that Carr could one day retire as a Raider, which he no doubt hopes given the Raiders are the only organization he’s played for since earning the second-round pick nomination in 2014.