Derek Carr would've understood if new Raiders regime wanted different QB

Even before the Las Vegas Raiders hit the figurative reset button and hired Dave Ziegler as general manager and Josh McDaniels as head coach, rumors spread throughout the NFL community that the franchise could be ready to move on from quarterback Derek Carr. 

Such talk was silenced for at least the time being, though, when Carr signed a three-year contract extension on Wednesday reported to be worth $121.5 million that includes a no-trade clause and is set to keep him with the Raiders through the 2025 season. McDaniels later said in a statement he and others within the organization are "thrilled to continue that relationship moving forward," and Carr remarked he was "either going to be a Raider" or "going to be playing golf." 

Per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk, Carr admitted he wouldn't have been shocked to learn that a new regime wanted to make a change at the sport's most important position. 

"I understand if someone came in and they want somebody new," Carr said. "I get it. But the fact that they keep believing in me, watching the tape and saying, 'Wow, we want you to be here for some more years, some more time.' That means more to me, way more to me, than any of the other stuff."

PFT's Mike Florio reported Wednesday the Raiders theoretically could dump Carr's contract as soon as next offseason as long as he's healthy at that time, and Florio added that Las Vegas can "escape after two seasons, with Carr owed $7.5 million for 2024, which likely is subject to offset."