Oct 30, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans tight end O.J. Howard (83) runs with the ball as Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Teair Tart (93) attempts to make a tackle during the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders sign TE O.J. Howard, DL Jordan Willis

The Las Vegas Raiders announced deals Monday with tight end O.J. Howard and defensive lineman Jordan Willis.

The team also reached an agreement with safety Jaquan Johnson, according to multiple reports.

Howard ostensibly becomes the heir apparent to Darren Waller, whom the Raiders traded to the New York Giants earlier this month.

Howard, 28, a former first-round draft pick, caught 10 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games (10 starts) for the Houston Texans in 2022.

He has 129 catches and 1,882 yards receiving to go with 17 TDs in 72 career games (56 starts) with the Texans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2017-21), who selected him No. 19 overall in the 2017 draft.

Willis, 27, was a third-round pick by Cincinnati in 2017 and has 92 tackles and 10.5 sacks in 69 games (two starts) for the Bengals (2017-18), New York Jets (2019-20) and San Francisco 49ers (2020-22).

Johnson, 27, was picked in the sixth round by Buffalo in 2019. He registered 58 tackles and two interceptions in 60 games (four starts) over four seasons with the Bills.

–Field Level Media

January 1, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) catches a pass against San Francisco 49ers safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. (31) during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Giants to acquire TE Darren Waller from Raiders

The New York Giants are acquiring former Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, multiple media outlets reported on Tuesday.

The Raiders will receive the No. 100 overall pick of the draft. That selection was the compensatory pick originally awarded to the Chiefs that Kansas City sent to the Giants in a trade for wideout Kadarius Toney on Oct. 22.

Trades cannot become official until the start of the league year on Wednesday.

The reported acquisition of Waller will give a big-play target to Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, who earlier this month agreed to terms on a four-year, $160 million contract.

Waller, 30, has spent the past five seasons with the Raiders franchise. Last season, injuries limited him to just nine games (six starts), and he made 28 catches for 388 yards and three touchdowns.

Waller had back-to-back seasons of more than 1,100 yards in 2019 and 2020. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2020.

Last September, Waller signed a three-year, $51 million contract extension with $22 million in guaranteed money.

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Raiders, WR Jakobi Meyers reach 3-year deal

Free agent wide receiver Jakobi Meyers has agreed a three-year, $33 million contract with $21 million guaranteed with the Las Vegas Raiders, multiple media outlets reported on Tuesday.

The reported move reunites Meyers with Raiders coach Josh McDaniels, who was his offensive coordinator with the New England Patriots from 2019-21.

Meyers would be the latest Patriots tie-in with the Raiders under McDaniels. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who spent his first three seasons in New England, reportedly agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million contract on Monday.

“It’s hard to turn down Las Vegas,” Meyers told CBS Sports. “When you look at their offense, when you look at their coaches. They wanted me, I wanted them. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out with the Patriots. I put a lot of effort in my time there.”

Meyers, 26, had 67 catches for 804 yards and a career-best six touchdowns in 14 games last season.

The undrafted Meyers has 235 receptions for 2,758 yards and eight touchdowns in 60 career games with the Patriots.

–Field Level Media

Dec 4, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Raiders, QB Jimmy Garoppolo agree to deal

The Las Vegas Raiders and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo agreed on a three-year, $67.5 million contract, ESPN reported Monday.

The deal can be executed on Wednesday under NFL rules. Once it’s done, Garoppolo will reunite with Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels, who was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in New England during Garoppolo’s first three-plus seasons in the league.

Garoppolo, 31, leaves the 49ers after six seasons and multiple deep playoff runs together.

Garoppolo was the starting quarterback in San Francisco’s run to Super Bowl LIV, where he threw a touchdown and two interceptions in a 31-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in February 2020. The Niners reached the NFC Championship Game in the 2021 season, losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams.

Garoppolo was not expected to return to the 49ers in 2022 as they made room for Trey Lance to take over as the franchise quarterback. But because Garoppolo elected to have shoulder surgery over the offseason, San Francisco could not find a trade partner, with the procedure reportedly scaring the Washington Commanders out of a potential deal.

The 49ers and Garoppolo re-worked his remaining contract into a one-year deal worth a fully guaranteed $6.5 million. While he was expected to serve as the backup, that changed when Lance broke his ankle in Week 2 and missed the rest of the season.

Garoppolo went 7-3 as the starter before suffering a foot injury in Week 13 that ended his season. That opened the door for rookie Brock Purdy to be the 49ers’ improbable hero, winning five starts to close the regular season and two starts in the playoffs before he was injured in San Francisco’s 31-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC title game.

Despite Lance’s and Purdy’s injury situations, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said in the offseason that he did not see “any scenario” where Garoppolo would return to the team in 2023.

Since entering the league with the Patriots in 2014, Garoppolo has a 40-17 record as a starter in the regular season. He has totaled 14,289 passing yards, 87 touchdowns and 42 interceptions with a 67.6 career completion percentage.

Over the offseason, Garoppolo was linked to several teams, including a return to Bill Belichick and the Patriots not being completely out of the question. New York Jets coach Robert Saleh was familiar with Garoppolo from his days in San Francisco and his team has been openly seeking a veteran QB, but they appear to be targeting four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers.

The Raiders also needed a quarterback after releasing Derek Carr, who is in agreement on a deal with the New Orleans Saints.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) warms up before a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Raiders RB Ameer Abdullah agrees to one-year deal

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah agreed to a one-year contract, multiple media outlets reported on Thursday.

Financial terms were not disclosed for Abdullah, who serves as a backup to NFL rushing leader Josh Jacobs as well as a contributor on special teams.

Abdullah, 29, had 25 catches for 211 yards and a touchdown to go along with four carries for 20 yards in 17 games last season. He also averaged 20.9 yards on 26 kick returns while playing on 50 percent of the Raiders’ snaps on special teams.

Abdullah has totaled 1,594 rushing yards with six touchdowns to go along with 144 catches for 1,076 yards with eight scores in 108 career games with the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers and Raiders. He was selected by the Lions in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) runs the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Raiders plan to use franchise tag on RB Josh Jacobs

The Las Vegas Raiders plan to place the franchise tag on running back Josh Jacobs if the two sides haven’t worked out a long-term deal by Tuesday’s deadline to use the tag, multiple outlets reported Friday.

The franchise tag for running backs is $10.09 million for the 2023 season.

Jacobs led the NFL with 1,653 rushing yards and 2,053 all-purpose yards last season in his fourth NFL season, all with the Raiders. He had a base salary of $2.1 million in 2022.

Last offseason, Las Vegas declined to pick up Jacobs’ fifth-year option of $8.03 million for the 2023 season.

Jacobs, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, said recently that he would prefer to sign a long-term contract with the Raiders. Even if Las Vegas applies the tag on Jacobs, the two sides will have until mid-July to negotiate a contract.

Jacobs, 25, has rushed for 4,740 yards and 40 touchdowns in 60 games over four NFL seasons. He also has 160 receptions for 1,152 yards.

Jacobs is third Raiders running back to win the rushing title, joining legendary Marcus Allen (1985) and Clem Daniels (1963, AFL).

He was a first-round draft choice (24th overall) in 2019 out of Alabama.

–Field Level Media

Feb 5, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; AFC quarterback Derek Carr of the Las Vegas Raiders (4) talks with defensive coordinator Ray Lewis against the NFC during the Pro Bowl Games at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Carr to meet with Jets, Saints, Panthers at Combine

Derek Carr plans to keep his free agency window open until he finds the right fit, with plans to meet with multiple teams at the NFL Scouting Combine this week.

Carr was released by the Las Vegas Raiders before more than $40 million in his contract became guaranteed on Feb. 15.

He met with general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh in a two-day visit with the New York Jets and also spent time with New Orleans Saints officials this month.

The Athletic and NFL Network reported Carr’s potential suitors include the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers.

One complication could be teams, including the Jets, waiting for word from the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers about the possibility of a trade.

Carr, who turns 32 next month, has a one-month head start on other unrestricted free agents who cannot sign until the start of the 2023 league year March 15.

In his nine seasons with the Raiders, Carr played for six head coaches, went 63-79 as a starter and led the team to the playoffs twice without a win. He didn’t play in the 2016 season postseason game due to a broken leg.

Carr set franchise records of 35,222 yards and 217 touchdowns. He is a four-time Pro Bowl selection, including this season when he passed for 3,522 yards, 24 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Feb 3, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; A clearance sale on the jerseys of Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) at the Raider Image team store at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Derek Carr has been released by Raiders

Derek Carr is free.

The Las Vegas Raiders informed the quarterback that he has been released from his contract, making him a free agent immediately, ESPN reported Tuesday. He can begin negotiating with teams immediately.

The Raiders were forced to release him Tuesday before $40.4 million in his contract became guaranteed on Wednesday.

By cutting him, the Raiders free up $29.3 million in cap space and it takes them off the books for the $40.4 million.

Carr, 31, adeptly forced the Raiders’ hand, first by refusing to extend Wednesday’s deadline and then refusing to waive his no-trade clause.

Carr is expected to draw the most interest from the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers. He gets a jump on other free agent quarterbacks — namely Jimmy Garoppolo — who can’t sign with any team until the start of the new league year March 15.

The New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are also in the market for a QB. The Panthers, however, are the favorites to land Carr.

The Raiders are favored to land Aaron Rodgers.

In his nine seasons with the Raiders, Carr has played for six head coaches, gone 63-79 as a starter and taken the team to the playoffs twice without a win.

A second-round pick in the 2014 draft out of Fresno State, Carr signed a three-year, $121.5 million extension last spring that included the no-trade clause and an out for the team.

The only quarterback under contract for the Raiders currently is Chase Garbers.

–Field Level Media

Feb 5, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; AFC quarterback Derek Carr of the Las Vegas Raiders (4) throws the ball against the NFC during the Pro Bowl Games at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Raiders QB Derek Carr won’t waive no-trade clause

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr won’t waive his no-trade clause and may be released as soon as Monday, according to multiple media reports.

Carr, 31, also won’t extend Wednesday’s deadline for more than $40 million in guarantees to kick in on his current contract, per the reports.

If he’s released by Las Vegas, Carr — who reportedly visited with the New Orleans Saints this week — would get a jump on other free agent quarterbacks, who can’t sign with any team until the start of the new league year March 15.

However, if Carr is still on the Raiders’ roster Wednesday, his full $32.9 million salary for 2023 becomes guaranteed, along with $7.5 million of his $41.9 million salary for 2024. The Raiders cutting him before would free up $29.3 million in cap space as they would take a $5.6 million salary cap hit, as it takes them off the books for the $40.4 million.

In his nine seasons with the Raiders, Carr has played for six head coaches, gone 63-79 as a starter and taken the team to the playoffs twice without a win.

A second-round pick in the 2014 draft out of Fresno State, Carr signed a three-year, $121.5 million extension last spring that included the no-trade clause and an out for the team.

If Carr is released, the only quarterback under contract for the Raiders would be Chase Garbers.

Las Vegas holds the No. 7 overall selection in the 2023 draft in April and is projected to have as many as 11 picks.

–Field Level Media

Feb 2, 2023; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws the ball during the Pro Bowl Skills competition at the Intermountain Healthcare Performance Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Raiders to let QB Derek Carr visit Saints

The New Orleans Saints requested to meet with quarterback Derek Carr and the Las Vegas Raiders granted the parties permission to do so, NFL Network and The Athletic reported Tuesday.

Carr remains under contract with Las Vegas, but the Raiders benched Carr toward the end of the 2022 regular season and are widely expected to move on from the veteran by either trade or release.

Carr plans to visit New Orleans on Wednesday, per NFL Network.

There’s a strong connection between Carr and Saints head coach Dennis Allen. Carr was a second-round draft pick in 2014 when Allen coached the then-Oakland Raiders. Allen made Carr the starting quarterback but was fired after an 0-4 start.

That was the start of a fruitful run for Carr with the Raiders. He made four Pro Bowls, most recently in 2022, and set major franchise passing records. But the team only made the playoffs twice in Carr’s nine-year stay and never won a playoff game.

The Saints are coming off a 7-10 season in their first year under Allen, who succeeded Sean Payton as coach. Aging veteran Andy Dalton spent most of the season as the starting quarterback after an injury-prone Jameis Winston was relegated to the backup.

–Field Level Media