Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) heads onto the field for warmups before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium Sunday, Dec. 17, 2022.
Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023 | 10:47 a.m.
Derek Carr will get a chance to say goodbye at Allegiant Stadium after all.
The nine-year Raiders quarterback was unceremoniously displaced from his long-time position with two games left in the regular season when coach Josh McDaniels announced he was benched for previous backup Jarrett Stidham. Carr left the team based on a mutual decision and did not attend the Raiders’ last two games, both of which were at home.
But he will play at Allegiant Stadium at noon Sunday for the 2023 Pro Bowl Games as part of a flag-football game. Carr was announced as a replacement AFC selection with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes reaching the Super Bowl and both Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow passing on the festivities.
“Well…maybe this invitation got lost in the mail from past seasons but I’m going to back to Pro Bowl #4,” Carr tweeted along with the tears of joy emoji.
Carr had one of the worst seasons in his career in throwing for 3,522 yards and an average of 7 yards per attempt with 24 touchdowns and 14 interceptions but the NFL was left desperate for quarterbacks on the AFC side. The other replacements alongside Carr are Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Baltimore backup quarterback Tyler Huntley.
“Not exactly a storybook ending but a fun way to kick off a new beginning,” Tim Younger, the quarterback’s agent, wrote in a message retweeted by Carr.
Carr’s three-year, near $120 million contract becomes guaranteed on Feb. 15, meaning the Raiders will either need to release him or come to terms to a trade with another team by that date. Las Vegas is expected to explore free agency for its quarterback vacancy, but could also use their top pick (currently No. 7 overall) in the upcoming NFL Draft to address the need.
The NFL’s reimagined Pro Bowl kicks off Thursday night with a skills competition at the Raiders’ Henderson headquarters that’s closed to the public. There’s been no confirmation whether Carr will participate in that event alongside teammates in wide receiver Davante Adams, running back Josh Jacobs, edge rusher Maxx Crosby and punter AJ Cole but he’ll be at the main event Sunday.
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
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