NFL Exec 'Openly Wondered' If Derek Carr Would Be Cut by Raiders Before Pro Bowl

There is reportedly some thought within the NFL that the Las Vegas Raiders may consider releasing quarterback Derek Carr before he participates in the Pro Bowl flag football game on Sunday.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, an anonymous league executive "openly wondered" this week if the Raiders would cut Carr prior to the Pro Bowl since an injury could trigger the $40.4 million in guaranteed money in his contract early.

Barring an injury, the guarantees are set to trigger on Feb. 15, meaning the Raiders will likely trade or release him before then.

Per ESPN's Stephen Holder, Carr was asked about the possibility of extending his trigger date in order to give the Raiders more time to find a trade partner, but he shot down the idea, saying, "I don't think that would be best for me."

Carr had been the Raiders' starting quarterback ever since they selected him in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft out of Fresno State.

Entering this season, Carr had missed only two regular-season games, and after starting the first 15 games of 2022, he had 142 career starts to his credit.

With the team eliminated from playoff contention, head coach Josh McDaniels decided to start backup Jarrett Stidham in the final two games of the season, and Carr stepped away from the team so as not to be a distraction.

The 31-year-old Carr is the Raiders' all-time leader in passing yardage (35,222) and passing touchdowns (217), plus his completion percentage of 64.6 percent is the highest of any Raiders player with at least 35 passing attempts.

Additionally, only Ken Stabler had more regular-season wins as a starting quarterback for the Raiders than Carr's 63.

Carr has also lost a franchise-record 79 games, though, and the Raiders have made only two playoff appearances during his nine-year tenure, losing each of their two playoff games.

Given the team's overall lack of success and the huge amount of money Carr is due if on the roster beyond the trigger date, moving on from Carr is understandable on the Raiders' part.

It also stands to reason that there will be a fairly active market for Carr since several teams are in search of a capable veteran starting quarterback, and Carr fits the bill.

The Raiders don't have much time to make a trade happen, though, and the time crunch may force them to cut Carr and lose him for nothing.

Whether that happens before or after the Pro Bowl remains to be seen, but with the NFL nixing the traditional Pro Bowl game in favor of flag football, the injury risk for Carr and other participating players likely won't be particularly high Sunday.