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The Oakland Raiders officially signed Derek Carr to a five-year, $125 million contract extension through the 2022 season, and the star quarterback said he "never chased the money." Carr confirmed Friday during a press conference announcing his extension that his deal was structured in order to leave the Raiders with enough money under the salary cap to extend other star players on the team.
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"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," Carr told reporters. "That was really important to me. Not to just take every single dime that we could. I hope that that's known.
"Obviously, the position that I play, it has to be around a certain number. It just is what it is. At the same time, I told (my agent), if we can structure it in a way to help the Raiders get the other guys, give them an opportunity to come in, that that would be really important to me too."
Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack likely will be next to get a new contract along with offensive guard Gabe Jackson.
Thank you!!! https://t.co/ssVCxJYBU1
— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) June 22, 2017
Mack is entering the final season of his rookie deal and the Raiders have already picked up his fifth-year option for 2018. Jackson, a former third-round pick, is entering the final year of his deal.
The 26-year-old Carr's deal makes the two-time Pro Bowl selection the highest-paid player in the league in terms of new money average.
Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts receives $24.6 million per year, just ahead of fellow quarterbacks Carson Palmer ($24.35 million) of the Arizona Cardinals, Drew Brees (24.25 million) of the New Orleans Saints and Kirk Cousins ($23.9 million) of the Washington Redskins.
According to published reports, Carr receives $40 million guaranteed and he also has a $30.2 million injury guarantee. He will make $25 million this season and the payments are broken down with a $12.5 million signing bonus, a $7.5 million roster bonus due June 30 and a $5 million base salary.
"I never chased the money," said Carr, who was joined by Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie in the news conference that was televised live on both ESPN and the NFL Network. "It's about being the best version of myself every day. If I can get even one kid to understand that, I've done my job."
McKenzie, who will now get moving on deals for the team's other star players, said he was pleased how the negotiations with Carr and his agent worked.
"Both sides wanted to get a deal done," McKenzie said. "We both wanted the same thing."
In 2016, Carr led the Raiders to a 12-4 record as the team earned its first trip to the postseason since 2002.
Carr enjoyed a stellar season before sustaining broken fibula in Week 16, which kept him sidelined for Oakland's playoff loss to the Houston Texans. He passed for 3,937 yards with 28 touchdowns against just six interceptions in his third NFL season.
