Raiders reward Carr with 5-year, $125M extension
By The Associated Press
Derek Carr and general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted the two sides could reach a long-term contract agreement to keep the quarterback with the Raiders before Carr’s self-imposed deadline.
So they agreed on a fiveyear, $125 million extension that makes Carr the NFL’s richest player, at least temporarily, and won’t hinder the team’s ability to give its other young stars such as Associated Press defensive player of the year Khalil Mack, receiver Amari Cooper and guard Gabe Jackson new contracts before they hit free agency.
“I think that both sides wanted it to get done,” Carr said Friday. “It was two family members just figuring out how to get along, and we did. We figured out a way to do it so that we have the opportunity to sign the other guys that I think are important to this organization. That was really important to me, not just to take every single dime that we could.”
Carr still will get plenty. The $25 million per year in new money is the richest contract in the NFL, beating out the $24.8 million a year Andrew Luck got from Indianapolis.
Carr has helped the Raiders go from an 0-10 start his rookie season to 12 wins and the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2002 in 2016 to possible Super Bowl contenders this season.
The Raiders’ 2016-17 run was derailed when Carr’s leg was broken in the second-tolast regular-season game and the team lost its first playoff game in Houston.
But with Carr healthy, most of the other key players back and Marshawn Lynch providing a boost at running back, the Raiders are hoping for even bigger things this season.
Carr has thrown for 11,194 yards in his first three seasons and ranks fourth alltime with 81 touchdown passes through three years, trailing only Dan Marino, Luck and Peyton Manning.
Saints
General manager Mickey Loomis said the team signed offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk, who was the second of the Saints’ two first-round draft choices this year. Loomis says the 6-foot-6, 314pound Ramczyk, drafted 32nd overall out of Wisconsin, signed a four-year contract. All seven of New Orleans’ draft choices now are signed. Ramczyk could play an important role this season because starting left tackle Terron Armstead will miss time while recovering from shoulder surgery.