Factual Reality of the Las Vegas Raiders, Derek Carr Relationship

HENDERSON, Nev.--After having learned from sources close to the situation that the Las Vegas Raiders were informed this past weekend from the Derek Carr camp that their former quarterback would not accept a trade to the New Orleans Saints or any other NFL team, things began to move quickly.

That isn't a secret.

That means the Las Vegas Raiders will shortly release the Fresno State Bulldog.

When the news hit, instantly, Raider Nation was divided.

There were some bemoaning the franchise for giving Derek Carr the contract they did, allowing him to have so much power.

Others tore into Carr for not helping the franchise that benched him.

Fans can certainly have any opinion they wish, but as is often the case with most situations, there are two narratives, and truth lies in the middle.

The Raiders selected Derek Carr nine years ago to lead their franchise. He has been the starter, and in that time, he has led the Silver and Black to the NFL Playoffs twice.

Carr has played for a myriad of coaches and coordinators and has worked regularly with some of the worst defenses in the NFL. Those are not excuses; those are facts.

That is not to say Carr has been perfect or close to it. Carr, like his soon-to-be former franchise, had faults.

The Raiders have paid him handsomely, and to owner Mark Davis' credit, when he was ready to move on from Carr years ago, he allowed his coaches to keep the man they believed in.

When I broke the story on Monday, Dec. 26, that the Raiders were considering benching Carr, that divide mentioned above flared up.

The Raiders made the business decision after deciding on the plane ride home from the Steel City to move on from Carr. Because of his contract, they couldn't risk him getting injured.

It was not the best look in the world, but Carr understood the business reasons for the move and stayed away.

The Raiders didn't do anything disrespectful to Carr.

They were protecting their interest. The Raiders made a business decision.

They didn't want Carr, so they had to make sure nothing would force his $40-million guarantee to come into play because of injury.

Indeed, it hurt Carr's pride, and it should have.

But the decision by Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels to move on also hurt their pride. They gave Carr the deal because they believed he was the man, and now they face criticism from half of their fan base and numerous others of their peers from around the NFL for the deal.

Carr is human but also a multi-million dollar corporation, and business is business.

Subsequently, the Raiders are a multi-billion dollar corporation, and they had to do what was best for them. Business is business.

From the moment the Raiders benched Carr, I have reported many times that they were confident they could trade Carr.

That sentiment after ten days waned among the NFL. I reported that around the NFL, that optimism that a trade would get done was not matching the Silver and Black.

So when the New Orleans Saints and the Raiders agreed to compensation should the Saints and Carr make a deal, the Raiders had hope.

That hope was not shared among many others.

Many fans are convinced that Derek Carr would have jumped at a deal with the Saints. Some even suggest that it would behoove Carr to take a deal to save his pride and avoid getting cut. That is laughable.

Those people are clueless about what is motivating Carr.

Right or wrong, Carr has made generational money, and I have reported that his next team will have zero to do with money.

Carr, like Tom Brady in the past, is fully prepared and willing to take less money to play in a championship organization that he feels is committed to winning. Winning now.

I do not know if Carr would have taken the Saints deal if they had agreed to his contract. Strictly based on opinion, I do not believe he would have.

Other potential suitors are more ready to win now, something Carr craves more than the cash.

I have reported previously and will repeat it: Carr wants his best shot at returning to Allegiant Stadium next year for the Super Bowl.

Besides the negativity of the proverbial Carr haters, there are teams better suited for that prize than the Saints.

Carr exercising his no-trade clause, similar to the Raiders benching him, wasn't about hatred; it was about business.

Both parties have made business decisions. While different, they are the same. The Las Vegas Raiders and Derek Carr relationship is over.

Pointing fingers, while indeed the right of the ones doing it, isn't based in reality.

It's over. You can wish both parties well, but it is time to move on.

Derek has. The Raiders have. Now Raider Nation needs to do that. Attacking one another divides an amazing fan base that deserves better.

The 2023 NFL Draft will go from April 27-29 and be held at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo. The NFL Scouting Combine is Feb. 28-March 6, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. On March 7, 2023, before 4 p.m. EST is the club's deadline to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

March 13-15 is the free agent negotiation period. Starting at 12 p.m. EDT on March 13 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. EDT on March 15, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2022 Player Contracts at 4 p.m. EDT on March 15.

The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period begins at 4 p.m. EDT on March 15. The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free-agent market this season.

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