Raiders reward QB Derek Carr with 3-year, $121.5M in new money
The Las Vegas Raiders commitment to excellence was on full display today--as GM Dave Ziegler and HC Josh McDaniels moved all-in on 8-year veteran QB Derek Carr.
Carr, who was entering the final year of his contract, was rewared with a new 3-year, $121.5M deal that includes a “no-trade” clause. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the new money deal ranks No. 5 in terms of APY for all QBs.
But was this a smart move for the Raider Nation long-term? I break that down below as we peel back layers of the onion to get to the core…
Valuation vs Evaluation
2014 | 19th ranked QB for passing yards | 15th in TDs | 30th QPR
2015 | 13th ranked QB for passing yards | T-7th in TDs | 19th QPR
2016 | 14th ranked QB for passing yards | T-7th in TDs | 8th QPR
2017 | 14th ranked QB for passing yards | T-12th in TDs | 19th QPR
2018 | 12th ranked QB for passing yards | T-21st in TDs | 18th QPR
2019 | 8th ranked QB for passing yards | T-19th in TDs | 9th QPR
2020 | 11th ranked QB for passing yards | 11th in TDs | 10th QPR
2021 | 5th ranked QB for passing yards | 13th in TDs | 14th QPR
Valuation: Carr is a top-15 QB
No-Trade Clause
Provision in a contract that states a team can’t trade a player without player giving his consent. A player can submit to management a list of teams he would accept a trade to or a list of teams he would not accept a trade to.
Carr holds all the leverage
Risk vs Reward
GM Dave Ziegler and HC Josh McDaniels marrying their fate to Carr
Carr | 57-70 career record (most losses in QBs first 8 seasons)
Top-5 money for Top-15 QB
2016 | 1x Pro Bowl (non-alternate)
Potential to take the next step due to McDaniels guidance
Potential to see higher RZ efficiency with WR1 Davante Adams
Potential to be Top 8-10 QB statistically if OL holds up
Bottom Line
Games are won in the trenches and as unfair as it may seem on the surface, Carr will be judged based on wins/losses in 2022. To me--wins/losses is not a QB stat but a team stat.
No QB can endure success if the OL can’t hold up in pass-pro or run-game, but does that matter? It seems like the Raider Nation has heard every excuse in the book when it comes to Carr’s shortcomings since being drafted back in 2014.
But hey, would you rather QB Jimmy Garoppolo or QB Baker Mayfield instead? To me, those players are on the same wavelength as Carr with noticeable flaws in their game.
At the end of the day, Carr gives them the best chance to win. Like it or not. He’s their guy for the next four years. How will that play out? Time will tell.
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