Long-time Oakland and Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr took to social media on Thursday to thank Silver-and-Black fans for their support and lament the end to his nine-year run with the organization.
Carr will go down as one of the better quarterbacks in Raiders franchise history. Without a doubt, Las Vegas fans will view team legends like Ken Stabler and Daryle Lamonica more favorably, however, Carr will still leave the franchise as the all-time leader in yards, touchdowns, and a three-time Pro Bowler.
Derek Carr‘s tenure with the organization came to an unceremonious end in Week 17 when the Raiders demoted him from his role as the starter after a 6-9 showing as the leader of the offense in 2022. Soon after the news, Carr stepped away from the team for the final two games of the season.
Also Read: Derek Carr leaves the Las Vegas Raiders after benching
It was a sad finish to a near decade-long run in the team’s most important position. On Thursday, Carr made his first public statement on losing his starting role, and the frustrating finish to his career with the Raiders.
Derek Carr thanks Las Vegas Raiders fans in first public statements since benching
In a Twitter post on Thursday, Derek Carr thanked Raiders fans, the cities of Las Vegas and Oakland, and also lamented not being able to say goodbye to the franchise’s supporters in person. However, he also made it clear that despite previous comments, his career is far from over.
“Raider Nation it breaks my heart I didn’t get an opportunity to say goodbye in person. We certainly have been on a roller coaster in our 9 years together. From the bottom of my heart, I am so grateful and appreciative of the years of support you gave to my family and me. We had our share of both heart breaking moments and thrilling game winning drives, and it always felt like you were there next to me.
“It’s especially hard to say goodbye because I can honestly say that I gave you everything I had, every single day, in season, and in the off season. It certainly wasn’t perfect, but I hope that I was able to leave you with more than a few great memories as Raider fans.
“… I once said that if I’m not a Raider I would rather be at home and I meant that, but I never envisioned it ending this way. That fire burning inside of me to win a championship still rages. A fire no man can extinguish; only god. So I look forward to a new city and a new team who, no matter the circumstances, will get everything I have.”
– Derek Carr
- Derek Carr stats (2022): 3,522 yards, 24 TD, 14 INT, 86.3 passer ratings
The Las Vegas Raiders are in a difficult position if they hope to get any value back in trade for Carr. The veteran QB has a no-trade clause in his deal and over $40 million in contract guarantees coming his way on Feb. 15. So they must find a trade partner to his liking before then, or make the decision to cut him.