#Derek Carr is expected to be the highest-paid NFL quarterback when he agrees to a contract extension with the #Oakland Raiders. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Raiders will have to shell out $25 million a year to lock up Carr. The amount will make Carr the highest-paid NFL signal-caller, overtaking #Andrew Luck of the #Indianapolis Colts. Luck is earning an annual average salary of $24.6 million. The two camps are currently working on a new deal but Carr recently expressed disappointment over the slow pace of negotiations.Carr gave the Raiders before the start of Training Camp in July to seal a deal, saying he will not negotiate an extension going into or during the season.
Raiders promise to keep Carr with long-term deal
Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie also promised that negotiations with Carr will begin after the 2017 NFL Draft. Despite the slow pace, Carr is confident that the Raiders will fulfill their commitment of signing him to a long-term deal as their franchise quarterback. A second-round pick by the Raiders in 2014, Carr is entering the final year of the four-year, $5.37 million rookie deal, including a signing bonus worth $2.2 million.
If both camps will not agree on an extension, Carr will play next season on a base salary of $977,519. He also stands to earn $150,000 roster bonus and a $25,000 workout bonus. In his three years with the Raiders, the 26-year-old Carr made it to the Pro Bowl twice.
Last season, he tossed for 3,937 yards and 28 touchdowns with six interceptions. He steered the Raiders to a 12-3 record before he suffered a broken fibula in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts. He is still recovering but expected to be ready for offseason workouts.
Carr excited to play with Marshawn Lynch
Meanwhile, Carr said he’s excited to play with veteran rusher Marshawn Lynch, who cut short his retirement and joined the Raiders.
During their organized team activities (OTAs), Carr said Lynch became a big brother to him, showing that “he has my back no matter what”. Lynch, who retired before last season, was traded by the Seattle Seahawks to the Raiders for a fifth-round pick in the 2018 Draft. He then signed a two-year deal with a base salary of $9 million.
He can earn up to $16.5 million in incentives. The 32-year-old Lynch tallied just 417 yards on 111 carries in seven games in an injury-plagued final season with Seattle in 2015. In his nine-year career with the Seahawks and the Buffalo Bills, he carried the ball 2,144 times for 9,112 yards and 74 touchdowns.
