The Oakland Raiders have made quarterback Derek Carr a very, very rich man.
Adam Schefter reported Wednesday morning that the team and Carr were making significant progress on a contract that would potentially make the 26-year-old the highest paid QB in the league with a deal around $25 million per year and on Thursday that deal came to fruition when Ian Rapoport announced that the deal was done.
The #Raiders and QB Derek Carr have finalized a 5-year monster extension worth $125M, sources say. Highest paid player in history 💰💰
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 22, 2017
In Derek Carr’s three years at the helm for Oakland, not only had the team’s record improved, but the former Fresno State Bulldog had improved his stats every year since entering the league in 2014.
Carr’s completion percentage of 63.8 last season was a career-high and he was on pace to hit 4,000 yards for the first time in his NFL career prior to his injury in Week 15.
In addition, Carr had more than a 4:1 ratio of touchdowns to interceptions in 2016. His rookie year, he had less than a 2:1 ratio and in 2015 he had just under a 3:1.
The two-time Pro Bowler had remained adamant that if no deal could be reached prior to training camp that he’d solely focus on the season and worry about negotiations after. Carr also stated on Twitter that he’d be the first to let fans know when a deal was done and he followed through on Thursday.
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
But, the Raiders wisely seemed to want to speed the process and get the ink signed before the 2017 season began and they succeeded.
In just another step towards being a “top tier” franchise once again, the Raiders locked up their most valuable asset.
Carr’s first season was a difficult one to say the least with the team starting 0-10 and finishing 3-13, but the Raiders showed progress in 2015 with a 7-9 record. Then in 2016, the Raiders performed even better with Carr, going 12-4 (12-3 when Carr started) and earning their first winning season since 2002.
The Raiders still need to lock up Khalil Mack as well, but had stated that they intended to get the Carr deal done first.
The Raiders have made some awful signings in the past, but it seems the years of cashing out Javon Walker and Stanford Routt seem to be long gone as Oakland finally has a direction and is on an incline.