Derek Carr Flexes On The Raiders, He’s Determining His Own Fate

Las Vegas Raiders QB Derek Carr is sticking it to his future “old” team. He’ll be heading to NFL free agency, foregoing any trade. NFL insider Ian Rapaport broke the news on Super Bowl Sunday, stating that Carr “won’t accept a trade to the New Orleans Saints or any other team.” It looks like that no-trade clause came back to haunt general manager Dave Ziegler after all.

The end is near for Derek Carr and the Las Vegas Raiders

Last week, there was growing speculation surrounding a trade with the Saints. That took place after a highly publicized visit by Carr, though a deal wasn’t imminent. However, despite all of this, it seems Carr will be deciding his own fate. By opting to be released and choosing not to help the Raiders facilitate a trade, Carr will enter NFL free agency. Given the lack of talented quarterback free agents, we can expect Carr’s value to skyrocket. Let’s face it, someone is going to overpay for No. 4, perhaps an NFC South team.

The reaction by Raiders fans has been swift. Many feel as though Derek Carr has tainted his legacy with the Raiders following this move. A team that would’ve taken on Carr and his contract would’ve meant Carr would still wind up with what was originally agreed upon last offseason. Others defend Carr and his actions, especially with the way the team handled his benching. Why would he help a team that “did him dirty?” is a common Raider Nation response to all of this. Still, even Raiders legend Charles Woodson made it known that the Raiders didn’t do anything personal or different from how any other NFL team would have. Especially when you consider the financial ramifications of Carr’s contract if he were injured in those last two games.

With Carr’s now a mere formality, would you have handled all of this differently?