Derek Carr essentially said goodbye to the Las Vegas Raiders organization on Thursday morning. The message came as report from NFL Network surfaced that Las Vegas is ‘evaluating’ Carr’s trade market.
Carr posted a lengthy message on social media to thank Raiders fans and to say bye to the only team he’s ever played for.
“Raider Nation it breaks my heart I didn’t get an opportunity to say goodbye in person. We certainly have been on a roller coaster in our 9 years together,” Carr posted Thursday. “From the bottom of my heart, I am so grateful and appreciative of the years of support you gave my family and me.”
Carr was benched after Week 16 following a tumultuous season in Las Vegas. The ninth-year quarterback had 3,522 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 15 games. His 60.8 completion percentage and 86.3 passer rating were the worst since his rookie season, and his 14 interceptions tied a career high. The Raiders went 6-9 in games Carr started.
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The Raiders drafted Carr in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft out of Fresno State. He’s been the Raiders starting quarterback since.
Carr’s amassed 35,222 passing yards, 217 touchdowns and 99 interceptions in 142 career games. He registered a 63-79 record. He holds many of the franchise passing records, including most passing yards and touchdown passes. Carr helped the Raiders reach the playoffs twice (2016 and 2021), though he didn’t play in the 2016 wild card game because of an injury.
The 31-year-old quarterback signed a three-year, $121.5 million contract extension that includes a no-trade clause in April and was instrumental in bringing star wide receiver Davante Adams to Las Vegas. Now Carr and the Raiders are headed toward an imminent divorce.
“Thank you to the city of Oakland for taking us in. Thank you to the city of Las Vegas for allowing us to proudly call you home. Thank you to the organization, my teammates, all my coaches, staff, and everyone that helped me these last 9 years in those 2 buildings. Thanks to all of Raider Nation that supported, encouraged, pushed and uplifted me at different times along this journey. Raider Nation truly is special.”
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on Twitter @TheTylerDragon.
