The clock is ticking on Derek Carr’s Raiders tenure.
One way or another, he and the Raiders will part ways. The only unknown is whether he leaves via a trade — the Saints, perhaps — or whether the Raiders cut him ahead of the Feb. 15 deadline that locks in a $40.5 million roster guarantee.
With time of the essence, Raiders fans are curious about how it will play out. And they have plenty of questions.
Here’s a sampling of what arrived in this week’s mailbag:
Jamie Clark (@jamesaclark): The Saints need a quarterback and salary cap relief. Do you think they would give the Raiders a higher draft pick if the Raiders ate the majority of Carr’s cap hit?
Vincent Bonsignore: There is always the possibility of the Raiders paying down some of his contract to enhance the level of compensation. But a more likely scenario is Carr and the Saints agreeing to restructure his contract in a way that gives the Saints salary cap relief while also putting more money in Carr’s pocket.
ChainedPatriot (@ChainedPatriot): What if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t come to Las Vegas? The Raiders probably have someone else in mind outside of Jarrett Stidham, right?
Vincent Bonsignore: Jimmy Garoppolo is also a possibility should the Raiders go down the veteran quarterback route. They might also fall in love with one of the top quarterback prospects — for argument’s sake, let’s say C.J. Stroud — and get aggressive in terms of trading up to secure him. In any scenario, though, Stidham is a strong candidate to return in either a backup role or as a starter until a younger player is ready to take over.
Sal O (@OdzakovicSelmir): With scouts gone, who fills in with the combine and draft around the corner?
Vincent Bonsignore: The Raiders fired three scouts, but they have a sufficient enough staff to cover those losses. In some cases, most of the leg work from a scout’s perspective has been done anyway, relative to the draft. Changes like these are common after a change in leadership, and 12 months into new general manager Dave Ziegler’s time with the Raiders, he continues to make moves. The draft has been a huge problem for the Raiders over the years, so it stands to reason they will look to upgrade the infrastructure in terms of talent acquisition.
Jorge Alanis (@raider_al82): Is linebacker Denzel Perryman coming back?
Vincent Bonsignore: On a team that lacks sufficient defensive standouts, Perryman has been a bright spot the past two seasons, on the field and in the locker room. The sense is the Raiders would like him back, provided it makes sense financially.
George (@joooe_g): Which cornerback free agents seem best for defensive coordinator Patrick Graham’s scheme?
Vincent Bonsignore: James Bradberry of the Eagles.
Ty Detloff (@TyDetloff): What do you think the compensation will be for Derek Carr? Could the Raiders get picks and players?
Vincent Bonsignore: A 2023 third-round pick and maybe a provisional pick in 2024 based on playing time and accomplishments.
Jeff Hahn (@FundJeffHahn): I know there’s talk of the Raiders having an interest in Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson. Have you heard any interest in Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker?
Vincent Bonsignore: Have not heard Hooker connected to the Raiders, but don’t read anything into that, as teams play their draft cards close to their vests. He could be a solid candidate on Day 2 of the draft should the Raiders bring in a veteran such as Aaron Rodgers.
Jasinthe970 (@JasonNwestColo): Derek Carr to Saints for two picks? And, if so, why wouldn’t he just wait to be a free agent?
Vincent Bonsignore: Carr waiting to get released to shop himself on the open market remains a distinct possibility. From the Saints’ perspective, if they are all-in on him, one would imagine they would do what it takes to convince him to agree to a trade to eliminate the competition.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at [email protected]. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on Twitter.
