LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
Raiders benching Derek Carr; will start Jarrett Stidham Sunday against 49ers
Dec 28, 2022, 11:32 AM | Updated: 12:07 pm
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 18: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders throws the ball during the third quarter against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Las Vegas Raiders are benching Derek Carr for the remainder of the season and are replacing him with Jarrett Stidham, coach Josh McDaniels announced Wednesday.
“None of us is happy with where we’re at but we think it’s an opportunity to evaluate a younger player who hasn’t had much time to play,” McDaniels said. “Talking to Derek, who was great, he understands the scenario we’re in and the situation, is very supportive of the two young guys.”
Chase Garbers will backup Stidham for the remainder of the season.
Head Coach Josh McDaniels addresses the QB position. pic.twitter.com/1rdhTSsNKr
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 28, 2022
Carr leads the league in interceptions, having thrown 14 through 16 Weeks, including three in Saturday’s 13-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Over the last five games, Carr’s completion percentage is 55% or lower.
The Las Vegas Raiders drafted Derek Carr in 2014 and he has since started 142 games for the Silver and Black. Carr also holds the team record for passing yards (35,222) and touchdowns (217).
There is a financial reason for Las Vegas to bench their quarterback. According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, Derek Carr has “$40.4 million in injury guarantees that become fully vested if he can’t pass a physical before the third day of the 2023 waiver period, when that money becomes fully guaranteed.” When asked if this move is related to Carr’s contract, McDaniels reiterated it’s more to see what the team has in Stidham.
“Derek’s played a lot of football. There’s a lot of evaluating that’s going to take place here once the season’s over in terms of how we make the most progress, what makes the most sense for everybody and how we move forward,” McDaniels said. “We knew that was going to be the case. Obviously, we were hoping we’d be in a different scenario than we are currently. But there’s no finality to today.”
Click here to watch the full press conference from Josh McDaniels.
