Raiders will cut QB Derek Carr if he isn't traded by specific date

Per Tafur, the Raiders plan to cut Carr if they can't find a trade partner for the maligned quarterback before Feb. 15. Why is that date so important? If the Raiders don't trade Carr before then, they'll owe him his 2023 salary ($32.9 million), plus $7.5 million in 2024 guarantees, per Spotrac. 

On Thursday, Carr released a statement via social media, saying goodbye to Raider nation. 

"From the bottom of my heart, I am so grateful and appreciative of the years of support you gave to my family and me," Carr said. "We had our share of both heart breaking moments and thrilling game winning drives, and it always felt like you were there next to me." 

Carr also turned his attention to the future, adding that winning a championship is what he'll "continue to work towards" wherever he ultimately lands. 

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Raiders have begun the process of evaluating the trade market for Carr. Rapoport notes that might signal Carr is involved in some way with the trade negotiations because his contract comes with a full no-trade clause. 

The news of a deadline isn't likely to help the trade market for Carr. No matter how desperate a quarterback-needy team may be, they're likely needy elsewhere, too. Giving up assets for a player who is only going to be released isn't a strategy most teams would adopt.