The Raiders decided to sit out Derek Carr on Sunday against the 49ers and begin backup Garrett Stidham. Here’s what you need to know:
- Sitting Carr eliminates the risk of him being injured and the team in trouble for $40.4 million over the next two years.
- Carr signed a three-year, $121.5 million contract last season, but only $25 million was guaranteed upon signing with the exit included which gave the Raiders an exit to move on while only incurring $5.6 million.
- The Raiders (6-9) have less than a one percent chance of making the playoffs and could be eliminated before they even hit the field on Sunday if the Dolphins beat the Patriots.
- Stidham has thrown for 72 yards and no touchdowns in three games this season.
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This would be only the fourth game Carr has missed in nine seasons and the first not due to injury. Now his $32.9 million salary for next season and $7.5 million of his 2024 salary are guaranteed in case he gets hurt, the front office met for the last two nights to decide on a course of action.
Carr has struggled over the past month, completing just 57 percent of his passes and throwing nine interceptions — along with nine touchdowns — with a passer rating of 74.2 over the past five games.
The Raiders traded receiver Davante Adams, Carr’s good friend and former teammate at Fresno State, hoping the offense would lead the Raiders to their second consecutive appearance. But the offense fell short under head coach Josh McDaniels and Carr in their first season together. His 60.8 completion percentage and 86.3 passer rating are their lowest since his rookie season and his 7.0 yards per attempt and 235 yards per game are his lowest since 2017. The 14 interceptions tied a career high.
Moving to the bench and starting Stidham seems to be a clear sign that the team plans to move on from Carr in the offseason.
The Raiders could cut Carr after the season because the $40.4 million total for 2023 and ’24 became fully guaranteed on February 15, three days after the Super Bowl. But the most likely scenario is for both sides to agree to trade with another team. Carr was given a no-trade clause in exchange for agreeing to exit and would have to agree to any trade destination.
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(Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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