The Raiders want to extend Derek Carr's contract. The franchise quarterback wants a deal done by training camp. That timeline has always worked for both sides, which are committed to a long-term union.
They might not need the full allotment to complete this pact. The Raiders are close to completing a contract extension with Carr that could make be worth approximately $25 million per year, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Wednesday afternoon.
That falls in line with the franchise quarterback market. Andrew Luck's five-year contract is worth $24.6 million per year, and sources have long indicated that would be a launching point for Carr's extension.
Carr himself was quick to point out a deal isn't done. He said so on Twitter moments after the Schefter report, saying "Nothing done yet…trust me you will hear it here first."
Carr's right. A deal hasn't been finalized, but the expectation is that it will happen. Schefter reports a deal could be done by the end of this week.
The start of training camp was Carr's deadline – he said he'd play out his rookie contract if an extension wasn't done by then -- but the 26-year old signal caller wants a deal done as soon as possible.
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He doesn't like talking about business. He hates it when teammates get asked about it. Carr wants focus on football, and signing a market-value contract extension will do exactly that.
A hometown discount was never in the cards. It never is in regard to franchise quarterbacks across the league. Their value is immense and they get paid accordingly. A proposed length of the deal remains uncertain and, with all NFL contracts, the devil's in the details and guaranteed funds. Carr's guaranteed figure should be high, especially in early portions of the contract.
The Raiders budgeted to pay Carr, right guard Gabe Jackson and edge rusher Khalil Mack in a relatively compact space. They have $32 million in salary cap space heading into the 2017 season, and could offer massive up-front money to their quarterback.
The contract would certainly set a franchise record and could make Carr the NFLs highest paid player. He's in line for such status now because he slipped to the 2014 NFL draft's second round – fifth-year contract options are only available to first-round picks – and his emergence as an MVP candidate last year.
Carr has made giant leaps in each of the last two seasons. Last year was his best. Carr had 3,937 passing yards 28 touchdowns, six interceptions, a 96.7 passer rating and seven-fourth quarter comebacks during a 12-4 campaign that snapped a long Raiders playoff drought. Carr broke his fibula in Week 16 and his absence proved his value. The Raiders struggled mightily without him, and were bounced in the postseason opener. He's completely healthy and again and has been a full participant in the Raiders offseason program. That stretch ended last week. Carr is expected to start training camp with a long-term contract completed.
