Oakland Raiders

How easily can the Raiders move on from Derek Carr?

If the Raiders want to move on from Derek Carr and sign another quarterback this offseason, how easily can it be done?

The Raiders are ready to pursue Tom Brady, who should be become available on March 18 at the start of free agency. That automatically creates a question about the future of incumbent starting quarterback Derek Carr, who notably bought a new house next door to head coach Jon Gruden in Las Vegas as the franchise moves there.

Carr has been solid at times, if not roundly unspectacular. He has also taken offense, via his social media feeds, at the idea the Raiders would take a look at other quarterbacks. But the opportunity to get Brady is obviously a unique one, and it’s also possible the Raiders consider other free agent signal callers.

Which begs the more precise question. How easily can the Raiders move on from Carr?

Carr is due to make $18.9 million in 2020 base salary. Of that, $2.9 million becomes fully guaranteed on the third day of the league’s waiver period. That’s this coming Wednesday, Feb. 5.

If Carr is traded or cut before June 1, the Raiders would clear $16.5 million in cap space and absorb $5 million in dead money. Via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, offset language in Carr’s contract creates a dollar-for-dollar credit on that $2.9 million, which another team would far exceed to sign Carr if he were cut. With where quarterback salaries have reached now, the $18.9 million this year with an even less costly financial escape in 2021 ($2.5 million in dead money) looks like a bargain for teams who may consider trading for Carr.

Gruden has never seemed to be all that committed to Carr, and there will be a number of other options out there on the free agent market this offseason.

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In terms of Brady specifically, any team’s interest in him is rendered moot if he re-signs with the Patriots over the next month or so. But moving on from Carr is legitimately on the table no matter what, and it’s certainly viable if there’s any inclination for the Las Vegas Raiders to find a new quarterback this offseason.

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