The One Contract Holding Back the Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders are arriving to their new digs with some grand ambitions, but those plans will be delayed until Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden sort out the quarterback situation.

Derek Carr has not only failed to become the franchise-changer many hoped he would be, but he is currently a massive weight on their salary cap, as he is owed $62 million over the next three seasons.

Derek Carr's massive contract—he's owed $62 million over the next three years—is just one reason the Raiders should find a new quarterback.https://t.co/yfjm599BkW
— 12up (@12upSport) January 4, 2020

Carr's 70% completion percentage, 40 touchdowns, and 18 picks over the last two years look good in a vacuum, but Carr is the king of the checkdown, and he has constantly wilted when the Raiders needed him to step up and make plays. Not exactly what you want for a guy on a five-year, $125 million contract.

The Raiders know that contract was a mistake, but they are so anchored to him financially they couldn't rip the Band-Aid off get a new franchise quarterback this offseason. Instead, they signed former Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, who some believe could take the starting job away from Carr.

NFL talent evaluator thinks Marcus Mariota 'starts 10-plus games' for Raiders, exec sees 'Rich Gannon comparison' https://t.co/uzdudZKQ5y
— Raiders Wire (@TheRaidersWire) April 2, 2020

Carr is under contract for three more seasons in Vegas, but it's not even a guarantee he'll be the starter by the end of the year. The sooner the Raiders wise up and realize he isn't a guy you can win a Super Bowl with as a starting quarterback, the better.