Derek Carr won't enter the 2022 NFL season as a lame-duck quarterback for the championship-starved Las Vegas Raiders. The 31-year-old signed a multi-year extension worth $121.5 million on Wednesday, which includes a no-trade clause and runs through the 2025 campaign. Under this new deal, Carr is set to earn an average annual value (AAV) of $40.5 million, which ranks fifth-best among league quarterbacks. His total cap hit for 2022 is $19.3 million.
In 17 games last season, Carr amassed a career-high 4,804 passing yards with 23 touchdowns and a 94.0 passer rating. But he also logged 14 interceptions, and was sacked 40 times -- the second-highest mark of his eight-year career. Still, Carr's leadership and production carried Las Vegas to its second playoff berth since 2002, and in a 26-19 wild-card loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, he completed 29 of 54 passes for 310 yards with one touchdown and one pick.
"Carr is a good quarterback. I'd say that he's maybe in that line of being top-10, depending what he's doing, week to week," JR said during Wednesday's edition of the JR SportBrief show. "He ain't elite. He's not one of the best of the best. Derek Carr is good. He's good enough to take you to the playoffs. He's good enough to win you a round. But if I have to look at the big picture, do I believe he can win a championship?
"Yes, I do. I do believe he can be a championship quarterback. Do I think it's going to happen? No. Because there are way too many quarterbacks who do a whole lot more than Carr. Even if you look at his division, if you had to pick them, wouldn't Carr get chosen last?... Carr, congratulations on the contract. Is he an elite quarterback? No. Do I think they can win a championship with him? Yes. Would I bet on it? I wouldn't. Good enough to win, but ain't great."
JR's complete thoughts on Carr's contract extension with the Raiders can be accessed in the audio player above.
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