New Raiders GM Dave Ziegler: It's too early to know how to handle Derek Carr's contract situation

The Las Vegas Raiders introduced new brass Monday in a press conference announcing the hires of general manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels, and it didn't take long for Derek Carr to become the subject of conversation.

Carr, 30, has been the Raiders' starter since he was drafted in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, but has yet to win a playoff game in eight seasons with the team. Now Carr is entering the final season of his contract with the Raiders and -- while he's been clear he hopes to stay with the team his entire career -- it's unclear if Ziegler and McDaniels view Carr as the Raiders' quarterback of the future.

When asked directly about Carr's contract situation Monday, Ziegler was hesitant to make any commitments.

"I had a great conversation with Derek myself yesterday and I think the one thing we all understand is there's going to be a process of us learning Derek, Derek learning us, and fitting all those pieces together," Ziegler said. "That's going to be step one: Building the relationship. Understanding what Derek does well; Derek understanding what Josh [McDaniels] and the offensive staff is trying to build.

"As that collaboration goes, then you kind of see how everything fits together. You have to see how everything fits together and work from that point."

Carr finished the 2021 regular season with a career-best 4,804 passing yards, but also threw a career-high 14 interceptions, sixth most in the NFL. His 94.0 passer rating ranked 14th among NFL starters.