(AFP)
The Las Vegas Raiders have benched quarterback Derek Carr for the final two games of the NFL season with Jarrett Stidham given the starting role for Sunday’s game with the San Francisco 49ers.
Last week’s defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers leaves the Raiders with a 6-9 record and only the slimmest of outside chances of making the post-season.
Carr threw three interceptions in the 13-10 loss to the Steelers and his 14 interceptions this season ara a league high.
In his ninth season with the franchise, Carr’s pass completion rate of 60.8% is his worse since his first year.
Remarks by the Raiders’ coach
“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,” Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels said on Wednesday.
“Talking to Derek — who was great — he understands the scenario that we’re in and the situation,” he added.
Carr signed a three year $121.5 million contract extension in April but the deal is structured in a way which provides a relatively painless way out for the Raiders if they wish to move on from their quarterback.
Reports say that the Raiders would have to pay a relatively low $5.625 million if he is cut or traded within three days of February’s Super Bowl.
However Carr’s entire 2023 salary ($32.9 million) plus $7.5 million of his 2024 salary is fully guaranteed if he were to get injured in the remainder of this season, NFL.com reported.
McDaniels was wary of discussing what moves the Raiders might make over Carr’s future.
“We’ll see how this goes going forward. I’m not going to sit here and predict the future. There’s a lot that could happen and we’re gonna take those things one day at a time, and right now we’re going to get ready for the 49ers,” he said.
The 26-year-old Stidham, who played college football with Auburn, joined the Raiders in May after three years as a back-up with the New England Patriots and will be making his first start in the NFL.
Here are more stories related to the NFL.