The Las Vegas Raiders benched longtime starting quarterback Derek Carr in a shock move on Wednesday, and the fallout has been swift.
After the news was announced, Carr was not seen at Raiders practice. NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport then reported that the 31-year-old quarterback had stepped away from the team indefinitely as Jarrett Stidham takes over as the starting quarterback.
“As part of the discussions that took place over the last few days, both sides concluded that it was best Raiders QB Derek Carr step away the final two games to avoid the obvious distractions, sources say,” Rapoport tweeted. “He won’t practice and will be listed as ‘not injury related.'”
The move to Stidham by first-year head coach Josh McDaniels was a surprising one. Las Vegas is technically still alive for the final playoff spot in the AFC (though their chances are slim to none). Carr is a nine-year veteran and has started 142 games for the Raiders since entering the league, earning three Pro Bowl nods and taking the team to the playoffs twice. Former Cal quarterback Chase Garbers will back up Stidham.
He has no guaranteed money left on his contract and the team can get out of his deal with a limited dead cap hit in 2023, which has led many to believe Carr has played his last snaps with the team. If he were to get seriously injured in the final two games, some of his remaining salary would become guaranteed.
“Obviously, I don’t think anybody was excited about it in here,” said Davante Adams, Carr’s former college teammate at Fresno State whom the team traded first and second-round picks for in the offseason. “Him being one of my really good friends and the reason why I came here in the first place.
“I’m not gonna sit here and go on and on but obviously I support my guy. We gotta finish this season up the best way we can, all things considered at this point.”
Adams expanded on Instagram with a photo of the two together wearing Fresno State gear, captioned: “This man gave everything he had. The reason I’m a Raider…One of the most disciplined and loving people I know. Got my bruddas back through whatever and if you can’t respect it (excuse my language) 🖕🏾you!!!”
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