New QB will join AFC West next year as Derek Carr tells Raiders goodbye

After nine years of AFC West battles with the Broncos, Derek Carr is telling the Raiders goodbye.

This was largely expected, considering Carr was benched for the final two games of the 2022 season by Las Vegas head coach Josh McDaniels. Still, Carr took the narrative into his own hands, posting a lengthy statement on Twitter Thursday morning.

☠️ pic.twitter.com/fuSOAWkwk8

— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) January 12, 2023

Carr said he’s “look(ing) forward to a new city and a new team” while thanking fans in both Oakland and Vegas and saying it “broke his heart” he didn’t get to say goodbye in person. The Raiders will look to trade Carr quickly, as he has $40.4 million in guaranteed money due on Feb. 15. If they can’t get a deal done by then, it’s largely expected Carr will be released.

Carr was very successful against the Broncos in his career overall, posting an 11-6 record. He beat them in his final six starts, including twice in 2022. While Denver fans never “hated” Carr necessarily, he still wore silver and black, so there was always going to be animosity there.

Carr is the longest-tenured QB in the AFC West, but will pass that torch to Patrick Mahomes as soon he finds a new team. Mahomes has never lost to the Broncos, posting an unbelievable 11-0 record.

While Carr’s a solid NFL QB, he was largely thought of as the fourth best in the division entering 2022. The consensus was Mahomes at No. 1, followed by some combination of Justin Herbert and Russell Wilson, and then Carr. That turned out to be wrong, with Wilson having the worst season of his pro career.

So now, a new QB will be joining the AFC West next season, with the Broncos still having to battle Mahomes and Herbert for years to come. For Denver to have any chance to get back on track, Wilson has to return to his old form in 2023, regardless of who the next QB is in Vegas.

***

Related

Von Miller finds a team for 2026 seasonBroncos reserve QB Ehlinger: “I feel a lot different” than at this time last yearReport: Broncos linebacker broke his leg during win against FalconsBroncos get impact performances from a pair of rookies who leave a big impression‘You pee, you grab a banana’ — Sean Payton pulls back the curtain on play-callingSean Payton going viral after calling out Falcons fans during preseason opener