Carr bids Raiders farewell amid trade reports: 'Never envisioned it ending this way'

Veteran quarterback Derek Carr penned a heartfelt goodbye to the Las Vegas Raiders amid reports the team will trade him in the offseason.

Carr's message comes on the heels of sources telling NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that the Raiders organization will start evaluating the trade market for the three-time Pro Bowl selection.

Carr has a no-trade clause and is expected to be involved in the process.

"Raider Nation, it breaks my heart I didn't get an opportunity to say goodbye in person," Carr said. "We certainly have been on a roller coaster in our nine years together."

Carr had a 63-79 record in 142 starts with the Raiders, including two playoff appearances. He has spent his entire career with the team.

His $40.4 million in salary for the next two seasons becomes fully guaranteed on Feb. 15. The Raiders are trying to get a deal done before that deadline, Rapoport adds.

Carr adds: "I once said that if I'm not a Raider, I would rather be at home and I meant that, but I never envisioned it ending this way. That fire burning inside me to win a championship still rages. A fire no man can extinguish; only God. So I look forward to a new city and a new team who, no matter the circumstance, will get everything I have."

The 31-year-old Carr was benched for the final two games of the season to preserve his health for a potential trade and reportedly left the team (with the Raiders' permission) for the last two weeks to avoid being a distraction.

Carr had 3,522 passing yards with 24 touchdowns and 14 interceptions this season.