Report: Raiders want to build around Derek Carr

The Oakland Raiders are in rebuilding mode, but they may not be closing the book on the Derek Carr era.

The Raiders held onto Carr through the trade deadline even though they discussed trading away several other players. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport says that’s because the Raiders would like to build around Carr.

Here’s what Rapoport said on Thursday before the Raiders-49ers game.

From our TNF pregame show: The #Raiders preferred plan is to build around QB Derek Carr for the future. pic.twitter.com/JZzBBZEwCj

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 1, 2018

Rapoport says the Raiders “did not come close to trading” Carr before the trade deadline. He says that Carr and new Raiders head coach Jon Gruden “have actually become closer” during the season, even though Gruden has called out Carr. Rapoport says the relationship between the men “has actually improved” this year.

There was some speculation that the Raiders could cut Carr after the season and move on, using one of their multiple first-round picks on a quarterback. Instead, all signs seem to point to him remaining the quarterback of the future for the Raiders.