Raiders In “No Rush” To Sign Derek Carr To Extension, But Still Prefer To Do Deal “Sooner Than Later”

Jason Cole spoke to a Raiders’ source who indicated that the team is in “no rush” to get a long-term extension in place with QB Derek Carr and feel that they don’t have to do the collective bargaining agreement reasons.

Even so, Cole adds that the Raiders would still prefer to lock Carr up long-term “sooner than later.”

According to Cole, it’s likely the Raiders would try to get a deal in place with Carr soon if he isn’t looking to completely reset the quarterback market in his next contract and would instead be willing to sign a comparable deal to Colts QB Andrew Luck.

This is interesting considering that Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie told reporters that keeping Carr and edge rusher Khalil Mack long-term is a top priority for them.

“You can say that,” McKenzie said last week. “The good thing is we do have time, but I’m not the type to wait until the last minute. Those two guys are not only great players but they are great men. They are true Raiders and I want to make sure we do the best that we can to make sure that they stay Raiders.”

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk previously reported that the Raiders are expected to focus on signing Carr to a long-term extension during the offseason before turning their attention to a new contract for Mack.

If the Raiders can’t reach an agreement on a long-term deal with Carr, there’s no question he’ll be franchised in 2018, as he’s proven to be among the best young quarterbacks in the game.

For what it’s worth, Luck signed a six-year, $139.125 million contract with $87 million guaranteed, so those are the figures to watch for Carr moving forward.

Carr, 25, is a former second-round pick of the Raiders back in 2014. He will be entering the final year of his four-year, $5,371,802 contract and stands to make a base salary of $977,519 for the 2017 season.

It’s worth mentioning that Carr suffered a season-ending fibula fracture and has already undergone surgery.

In 2016, Carr had thrown for 3,933yards while completing 63.7 percent of his passes to go along with 28 touchdowns and six interceptions.

We’ll have more regarding a long-term extension for Carr as the news is available.