OAKLAND, Calif. _ If Jon Gruden is willing to trade Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper, it's only logical Derek Carr is the next franchise cornerstone brought up in trade talks, however unsubstantiated.
Gruden said last week he'll never say never when it comes to dealing players. That comes after he insisted the Raiders weren't dealing Mack or Cooper ... until the Bears and Cowboys, respectively, approached with offers Gruden couldn't resist.
According to a Sunday morning ESPN report, the Raiders have told Carr he'll be their quarterback this year and for the "foreseeable future." The report said Carr is "likely" to be the Raiders quarterback next season, but as we've seen plans can change quickly around these parts.
"Well yeah, media people told me this morning," Carr said of the report. "I'll say this: the conversation that I've had with those guys makes me confident that I'm going to be here. When I heard all that stuff, I have to be honest, it doesn't worry me. It's just more fun for other people to talk about and figure out on ESPN.
Carr rebounded strongly from a dud in London, completing 21-of-28 passes with 244 passing yards and three touchdowns in a 42-28 loss to the Colts, in addition to his first career rushing touchdown. A horrific defensive showing spoiled Carr's day, but he showed why the Raiders are set with him as their long-term franchise quarterback if he can string together showings like Sunday's. Carr faced a tumultuous bye week in which he responded to crying accusations, a report of his "fractured relationship" with some in the locker room and possible trade talks, but he put it all in the rearview to display the Carr that his superiors made an extremely wealthy quarterback not long ago.
"I had to answer some funny questions, but you know I know that you guys have to do your jobs. It's nothing personal, I know that. It was different. If I'm being honest as a human, it was hard," Carr said. "A lot of the stuff that was going around, I was like 'Man, that's just not true and that hurts.' Especially just as a man, not even a football player. My goodness, enough is enough."
Carr has been inconsistent this season, to say the least, but when Carr is on he's really on. We've seen that $125 million quarterback sparsely this season, though, which raises the question whether the Raiders are better off sticking with Carr for the long haul or dealing him for a boatload with the rebuild already well underway.
Carr is undoubtedly the face of the Raiders not named Jon Gruden, and the player whose back the Raiders will ride if they turn this thing around any time soon. Gruden hasn't specifically stated Carr will be the long-term face of the franchise, but even if he did what would it matter? Even if Gruden wholeheartedly believes something to be true, there's nothing a couple first-round picks can't change.
"I don't think the criticism is anything we're going to address this week. Critics are going to be critics. I've said I think he's a great player," Gruden said. "... It's not all Derek Carr, but I will say I think he's the strength of this team and I'm excited about him."
Carr seems unlikely to be dealt before Tuesday's trade deadline, but there's no telling what happens this offseason. If Gruden really wants to tear this thing down with one season to go before the Vegas move, why not trade your franchise quarterback and truly start from scratch?
Even with that possibility, Carr maintains he's not fretting about his future with the only team whose jersey he's worn.
"I'm not worried. I'm an Oakland Raider. I'm a Raider. I'm not going anywhere," Carr said. "I love this place and I want to win a championship for the Raiders."
