Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is close to becoming the NFL’s first $25-million man. According to ESPN, the two camps are close to finalizing a deal that will keep Carr with the Raiders for a long time and make him the highest-paid player in the NFL in terms of annual average salary. Sources said Carr and the Raiders are just ironing out some details in the language of the contract but it could be formally announced before the week ends.
Currently, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is the highest paid player at $24.6 million per year.
Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback Carson Palmer's average annual salary is $24.35 million while Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints and Kirk Cousins of the Washington Redskins will earn an average of $24.25 million and $23.9 million, respectively.
Carr has given the Raiders before the start of training camp to work out a long-term deal. With the way negotiations are going, they should be well ahead of the deadline set by the quarterback.
Carr said ‘nothing done yet’
In his Twitter account, the 26-year-old Carr said “nothing done yet”. The quarterback also promised that he will immediately inform his fans if the deal is signed. “Trust me you will hear it here first,” he tweeted. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network Insider said the Raiders and Carr “are in a good place” in reaching the deal.
If no deal is reached, Carr will earn $911,519 in the coming season, the final year of his four-year, $5.37 million rookie deal, which included a signing bonus of 2.2 million.
Nothing done yet... trust me you will hear it here first.
— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) June 21, 2017
Carr was impressive last season, throwing for 3,937 yards and 28 touchdowns with just six interceptions as he carried the Raiders to their first playoff appearance since 2002.
However, Carr broke his fibula in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts. The Raiders lost to the Houston Texans, 27-16, in their opening playoff game.
Carr a full participant at minicamp
Carr has recovered from his injury and has fully participated in the Raiders offseason activities. When asked about the journey to his recovery, Carr said he “was happy to be "just playing ball again." A second-round pick by the Raiders in 2014 out of Fresno State, Carr made it to the Pro Bowl the past two seasons.
He started 16 games in his rookie year, throwing for 3,270 yards and 21 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He raised his game the following year, completing 350 passes for 3,987 yards and 32 touchdowns with 13 picks.
