Derek Carr Seeking $35 Million-Plus per Year in Free Agency, per Report

As Derek Carr continues to weigh his options following his release from the Raiders, the veteran quarterback has reportedly set his sights on an ideal contract he hopes to land with his next team.

Carr, who was released by the Raiders on Feb. 14, is seeking a contract in free agency worth at least $35 million per year, ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported on-air Friday. So far, the 31-year-old QB has visited with the Saints, a team interested in Carr prior to his release, and most recently, the Jets.

According to ESPN, Carr currently intends to take his time with his decision and is in no rush to sign with a club. “He doesn’t need to be the first quarterback to sign,” Russini noted, per USA Today’s SaintsWire.

The news of Carr’s contract expectations comes at an interesting time for the nine-year pro following the end of his Raiders tenure. A remaining $40.4 million in guarantees from Carr’s last extension with Las Vegas proved to be a major sticking point in the team’s inability to persuade Carr to waive his no-trade clause and find a trade partner, ultimately leading to his release.

While no team was ultimately willing to take on his prior contract, perhaps Carr will manage to find a team willing to meet his demands. Earlier this week, Carr’s brother and NFL Network analyst, David, said that his visit with the Jets went “great” before adding that free agency will be a “long process” for the former second-round pick.

Less than a day later, Russini provided another update on Carr’s visit with New York, saying the team told the four-time Pro Bowler, “We believe if you come to New York and win, you could be a first ballot Hall of Famer.” 

In his 15 starts last season, Carr recorded 3,522 yards, 24 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.