Raiders News: Is Derek Carr Really Parting Ways With Las Vegas? QB Address Rumors Ahead Of 2023 Season

Derek Carr won't return to the Las Vegas Raiders for the 2023 NFL season, according to the quarterback. Carr said goodbye to the Raiders fans in a social media post Thursday morning.

The Raiders decided to bench Carr for the final two games of the regular season, indicating that the team was preparing to move on from the quarterback this spring. The 31-year-old stepped away from the team when Jarrett Stidham replaced him under center in order not to be a distraction.

"Raider Nation it breaks my heart I didn't get an opportunity to say goodbye in person," Carr wrote. "We certainly have been on a roller coaster in our 9 years together. From the bottom of my heart, I am so grateful and appreciative of the years of support you gave to my family and me. We had our share of both heart breaking moments and thrilling game winning drives, and it always felt like you were there next to me."

Las Vegas sat Carr because his $32.9 million salary for the 2023 season and $7.5 million of his salary for 2024 would've become fully guaranteed if he suffered an injury that prevented him from passing a physical while being part of the Raiders roster on Feb 15. Carr signed a three-year, $121.5 million extension in April that Las Vegas no longer appears willing to pay.

The Raiders missed the playoffs for the seventh time during Carr's nine-year tenure with the team. It's expected that Carr will be traded, given that he's still a quality starting quarterback.

"I once said that if I'm not a Raider I would rather be at home and I meant that, but I never envisioned it ending this way," Carr continued. "That fire burning inside of me to win a championship still rages. A fire no man can extinguish; only God. So I look forward to a new city and a new team who, no matter the circumstance, will get everything I have. Winning a championship is what I've always wanted and what I will continue to work towards."

Carr is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career. The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback threw for 24 touchdowns, 14 interceptions and an 86.3 passer rating in 15 games.

The 2021 season was one of Carr's best. Carr led the Raiders to the playoffs while throwing for a career-high 4,804 yards.

The Raiders went 11 straight seasons. without going to the playoffs before drafting Carr in 2014. The Raiders were back in the postseason two years later.