HENDERSON, Nev. – Mike Mayock, general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders, gave defender Derek Carr, the protagonist of several off-season commercial rumors, a solid support.
“Derek Carr had his best year under Jon Gruden. He is one of the best defenders in the NFL and we could not be happier with him, “Mayock said in a video conference. “I say it every year: we evaluate all positions. I have no idea who can call me (for a change), so you have to do evaluations of your players and other players in the league and you have to complete your tables and understand what the value of the whole league is and that’s what we do. .
“If you ask me specifically about Derek, Jon and I will go shoulder to shoulder and hit the table for Derek Carr,” he added.
The Raiders were linked with Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson. Wilson’s agent included black and silver as one of his client’s possible destinations, along with New Orleans, Dallas and Chicago, if the Seattle Seahawks choose to trade him.
In turn, Carr will leave the third year with Gruden as coach. Last season, the defender set the highest career in the yards (4,103), rating (101.4) and QBR Total (71.0) with 27 touchdowns and nine interceptions for a Raiders who went 8-8, an improvement of to a victory. they have lost five of their last seven games and won just two games at their new home, Allegiant Stadium.
In his career, Carr, who signed a five-year contract extension worth $ 125 million in June 2017, is 47-63 with a single winning season.
Mayock was not as effusive in his praise when he spoke of right-back Trent Browns, who in 2019, as a free agent, signed what was then a record four-year, $ 66 million, offensive contract.
Brown has played more than 10 tracks in just 14 of 32 Raiders games.
“About Trent, he is still under contract and we believe in that player’s talent. There would be nothing better next year than having Trent Brown at the right address to protect Derek Carr in Week 1, but the jury is still out, and overall we still have a lot of decisions to make. look at our list, “Mayock said.
Brown’s impact on the salary cap is $ 14 million in 2021, with no dead money.
“Trent has everything when he is healthy, fit and ready to play. He is as dominant as any other attack and he proved it in the 2019 season “, said Mayock. “Since then, everything has been like a roller coaster. Indeed, what (Trent) needs to do, more than anything, is get in the best possible shape of his life and be ready to prove that he is a dominant attack in the NFL and that it is all to do.
“If Trent gets in shape and stays engaged, there is no other more talented player,” he added.
Mayock did not confirm or deny a report from Josina Anderson, according to which right guard Gabe Jackson was informed that he would be cut.