Raiders release quarterback Derek Carr ahead of contract deadline

By Case Keefer (contact)

Published Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 | 1:43 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 | 2:35 p.m.

Derek Carr and the Las Vegas Raiders have officially parted ways.

The franchise released the nine-year veteran quarterback on Tuesday, a day before his contract became guaranteed for next season. Las Vegas will receive no compensation for the cut, but will benefit from freeing up nearly $30 million in cap space.

The Raiders take a relatively small $5.6 million dead salary cap hit for the move, which they had no choice but to make after Carr reportedly informed them he wouldn’t accept a trade this weekend. Carr had a full no-trade clause, and preferred to be released into the open market to test his value.

“We have a lot of respect for Derek Carr and what he has meant to the Raiders organization for the last nine years," Raiders general manager Dave Zielger and coach Josh McDaniels said in a joint statement. "Derek has done great things in this league and we’re thankful to have been able to work with him this past year. He is a true professional and we appreciate his hard work in striving to produce the results we all desire. We wish Derek and his family all the best in the future.”

Carr's agent, Tim Younger, tweeted that he and Carr wished the Raiders "the best of luck" and said the quarterback held no "ill will" towards what he once called the only franchise he would ever be willing to play for. The two sides might be exchanging pleasantries now, but their long-rumored break-up did wind up bit messy dating back to when McDaniels announced Carr was benched for the final two games of the regular season.

At the time, it seemed likely Las Vegas would be able to recoup something for Carr in a trade with another team — even if it was just an NFL Draft pick in the later rounds. But, as time went on and the Raiders refused to allow Younger and Carr to contact other teams, those hopes diminished.

A release had appeared to be the most likely outcome over the last few weeks, but a potential trade drew some late momentum when the Raiders permitted Carr to visit the New Orleans Saints.

The team did not clear visits to any other teams, and Carr informed the Raiders he would not waive his no-trade clause to join the Saints. That doesn’t mean New Orleans is out of the running for the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback though.

The Saints, along with the rest of their NFC South division and the New York Jets, are among the teams that could have interest in Carr when he hits free agency. As for the Raiders, 39-year-old Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers could become the focus if general manager Dave Zielger and coach Josh McDaniels show as much interest in the four-time MVP as their players expressed at the Pro Bowl.

If Rodgers and the Packers decide to part ways, the Raiders and Jets are widely believed to be the quarterback’s most likely landing spots. Las Vegas could also target a free agent, perhaps the 49ers’ Jimmy Garoppolo, re-sign Jarrett Stidham, who started the final two games in the place of Carr, or draft a quarterback with what’s currently the No. 7 overall pick.

The 2023 NFL Draft is scheduled to begin on April 27 in Kansas City. The new league year begins on March 16, but Carr would not necessarily have to wait until then to sign with a new team.

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or