Derek Dallas Carr has long been a consistent name at the quarterback position in the NFL. Though not as stellar as some of the other names in the league, his production has remained solid throughout his career. He was drafted in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas (then Oakland) Raiders with the 36th overall pick. He initially signed a four-year rookie contract worth a little over $5 million in 2014. At the expiration of that contract, with four Pro Bowls already under his name, Carr was an obvious choice for an extension for the Raiders, especially after a playoff appearance in the 2016 season. As a result, a four-year, $125 million contract was agreed upon that was signed in 2022.
Continually strong production led the Raiders to sign Carr to another three-year contract extension worth $121.5 million. But a poor showing the following year led to a mutual agreement between the franchise and its quarterback to part ways via a release. As the franchise leader in virtually every passing category, Carr left a major imprint on Raiders football. From there on, he moved to the New Orleans Saints, signing a contract to keep him around for the foreseeable future.
Derek Carr Contract
Here is a breakdown of Derek Carr’s four-year deal with the New Orleans Saints:
| Contract | Signing Bonus | Average Salary | GTD at Sign | Total GTD |
| 4 yr(s) / $150,000,000 | $28,500,000 | $37,500,000 | $60,000,000 | $100,000,000 |
| Year | Base Salary | Signing Proration | Restructure Bonus | Cap Hit | Dead Cap | Yearly Cash |
| 2023 | $1,500,000 | $5,700,000 | $7,200,000 | $60,000,000 | $30,000,000 | |
| 2024 | $1,210,000 | $5,700,000 | $28,790,000 | $12,668,000 | $62,800,000 | $30,000,000 |
| 2025 | $30,000,000 | $5,700,000 | $51,458,000 | $50,132,000 | $40,000,000 | |
| POTENTIAL OUT: 2026, 3 Years, $100,000,000 | ||||||
| 2026 | $50,000,000 | $5,700,000 | $61,458,000 | $28,674,000 | $50,000,000 | |
| 2027 | $5,700,000 | $17,216,000 | $17,216,000 | |||
| 2028 | $5,758,000 | |||||
How much is Derek Carr getting paid?
Derek Carr’s current contract is earning him $37,500,000 annually, on average. However, the unique nature of his contract affords him some additional flexibility. He can either potentially opt out of the contract after 2025, having amassed $100 million of the total sum. But if he does choose to stick to the length of the contract, he could earn an additional $50,000,000.
How much money does Derek Carr make a minute?
Carr has an amazing contract with the Saints courtesy of some excellent play for the Raiders that saw him catapult to the franchise leader in passing yards, touchdowns, and completions. His earnings from the entire four-year deal would amount to $150 million, which earns him approximately $70 per minute each day.
How much of Derek Carr’s Contract is guaranteed?
In the case of Derek Carr, out of the total $150 million amount, two-thirds are guaranteed at $100,000,000. Further, a sum of $60 million was immediately guaranteed at signing to him. The guaranteed clause, or the insurance policy, in a player’s contract is the equivalent of free safety for the player. Despite injuries, dwindling performance, or lack of opportunities, a certain amount of the total deal is guaranteed. Further, a part of the sum is guaranteed at the time of the contract signing while other guarantees might kick in based on roster availability in the future.
What are the terms of Derek Carr’s Contract?
Due to the roller coaster nature of his play over the last couple of years, Carr’s contract has many technicalities to sift through. While the overall terms read out a contract worth $150,000,000 over 4 years, $100 million of those are guaranteed to him. At the time of signing, $60,000,000 was guaranteed, which included a $28.5 million signing bonus. As a result, the terms of the contract account for Carr to earn an average sum of $37,500,000 annually.
In 2024, Carr will make just $1.2 million as part of his base salary, with a major portion of his contract money coming in the form of a $28.7 million restructure bonus. That amounts to a cap hit of $12.8 million while carrying a dead cap value of $62.8 million.
On top of these intricacies, Derek will also enjoy a roster bonus worth $10 million in 2025, with the entire $30,000,000 sum becoming guaranteed in March of that year. Further, he also has a full no-trade clause over any potential deals that the New Orleans Saints might try to make.
Derek Carr's Contract History
Derek Carr has signed three contracts before signing one with the New Orleans Saints. All three of his previous contracts have come with the Raiders, including his rookie contract.
| Year | Contract | Signing Bonus | Average Salary | GTD at Sign | Total GTD |
| 2014 - 2017 | 4 yr(s) / $5,371,801 | $2,226,764 | $1,342,950 | $3,310,937 | $3,310,937 |
| 2017 - 2022 | 5 yr(s) / $125,000,000 | $12,500,000 | $25,000,000 | $40,000,000 | $70,200,000 |
| 2022 - 2025 | 3 yr(s) / $121,500,000 | $7,500,000 | $40,500,000 | $24,877,519 | $65,277,519 |
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FAQs on Derek Carr
A. Derek Carr signed a humongous contract with the New Orleans Saints worth $150 million over 4 years.
A. A huge portion of his contract is guaranteed at 2/3rd of the total amount. $100,000,000 of his $150,000,000 is guaranteed in total with $60,000,000 becoming immediately guaranteed once the team signed him.
A. Due to a lack of production and wins, Carr was traded by the Raiders at the trade deadline to neutralize his base salary and a portion of his 2024 contract that would have otherwise become guaranteed.
