Let these numbers set in for a moment. Oakland (soon to be Las Vegas) Raiders quarterback Derek Carr agreed to a five-year, $125 million contract extension with $40 million guaranteed and, according to someone else’s math, at least $70 million in total guarantees. Carr is now the highest paid quarterback in the NFL.
At least for now.
Now it's done 😂! From the jump I've wanted to be a Raider 4 life. One step closer to that! Blessed!!! Business done! Let's just play now!!!
— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) June 22, 2017
The deal pays Carr exactly $25 million a season. The No. 2 quarterback, Andrew Luck, makes $24.594 million a year. Who’s the No. 3? Carson Palmer with $24.35 million and holy shit that’s insane.
Regardless, the Carr deal will send ripples down through the league and finally take a big honking squat in Washington D.C. where the Redskins continue to screw around in negotiations with their own franchise quarterback, Kirk Cousins.
The Redskins could take a lesson out of Oakland’s playbook. There was never a potential conversation on Carr leaving the team or any chance he was lowballed. If there were any disagreements between the two sides, they were likely minor. The size of the deal was always going to be $25 million a year. The minor details are the only reason it took this long to put together.
5yrs 125million …. @derekcarrqb
You got lunch.— David Carr (@DCarr8) June 22, 2017
In his first three seasons in the league, Carr has completed 60.9 percent of his passes for 11,194 yards, 81 touchdowns and 31 interceptions in 47 starts. He led the Raiders to a 12-3 record last season before breaking his leg in their Week 16 game against the Indianapolis Colts. This was a team that could have legitimately competed for a Super Bowl last season, but once Carr was out, any hope of that was over. Without Carr under center, Oakland lost in the Wild Card Round to the Houston Texans, 27-14.
To compare Carr to Cousins, the Redskins’ QB has started 41 games, completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 12,113 yards, 72 touchdowns and 42 interceptions. He also led his team to the playoffs once, a 35-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers in 2015 in the Wild Card Round.
Congrats w extension!! Continue to be the great teammate and leader you R. God Bless you & your family! #RaiderNation #ReturnToGreatness https://t.co/HJWmhdvrUR
— Jack Del Rio (@coachdelrio) June 22, 2017
These are certainly comparable numbers. The good news for the Redskins is they might be able to fit Cousins’ contract in between Carr’s and Luck’s, but any hope of not butting up against $25 million is ridiculous. No, I don’t think Kirk Cousins is as good as Derek Carr. And I don’t think Carr is as good as Andrew Luck, but that has shit all to do with these contract negotiations. The next guy always sets the market. If the Redskins are lucky, they might still sneak Cousins underneath this latest contract. If they keep screwing around, it’s not going to happen.
Woke up and seen @derekcarrqb new contract and got out of bed so fast lol, I can't get paid sleeping 😂😂 Congrats bro you deserve it..
— Todd Gurley II (@TG3II) June 22, 2017
They’re already paying Cousins $23.943 million thanks to the franchise tag. Throw one more million on there, with $65 million guaranteed and be done with it. Shit, the man has made nearly $50 million in guaranteed money over the last two seasons anyway. In a couple of years these contracts are going to be blown out of the water with Matt Stafford’s and Aaron Rogers’ new deals coming in the next year or two.
Patriots sign Harris
The New England Patriots didn’t let a quality AFC East player twist in the wind long. A week after the New York Jets cut linebacker David Harris, the Pats snapped him up with a two-year deal worth $5 million with $1.25 million guaranteed. With incentives, the contract could pay Harris as much as $6.75 million.
Harris has been a thorn in New England’s side since the Jets drafted him, so now that head coach Bill Belichick is in “win now” mode, he’s decided to throw him on the pile. Last year Harris started 15 games for the Jets and recorded 94 tackles, 0.5 sacks and two passes defended.
Guion arrested in Hawaii
Green Bay packers defensive tackle Letroy Guion was arrested for driving under the influence in Honolulu, Hawaii Wednesday morning. Once informed of his arrest, the Packers released the following statement.
“The Packers are aware of the matter involving Letroy Guin,” the team said. “We will refrain from making any further comment as it is an ongoing legal matter.”
The arrest will likely lead to another suspension for Guion, who has already been hit by the NFL twice for skirmishes with the law or drugs. In 2017 he was suspended four games for violating the league’s PED policy. Back in 2015, he was busted with pot and a gun and was suspended for three games.
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