After the unfortunate elimination against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Las Vegas Raiders are already planning for the new season. The team from the desert not only has a construction site at the head coach position.

Munich/Las Vegas – Derek Carr had disappointment written all over his face.

In his first playoff game ever after eight years of NFL experience, the quarterback of the Las Vegas Raiders suffered a bitter defeat. His team lost 19-26 against the toxic Cincinnati Bengals.

Although he delivered a decent game with 310 passing yards, he also made an interception in the closing seconds that ultimately decided the game.

After the game, he was nevertheless combative. “You just keep going. That’s how it goes in the offensive game,” he said after the game: “We will always find a way to win games. We’re the Raiders for a reason.”

At the same time, despite a declaration of war, it is not assured that Carr will still play in Las Vegas next season.

Las Vegas Raiders: Derek Carr facing departure?

When asked about his future, he indicated that he would not seek direct talks with the Raiders. “Of course there are some things to talk about. But I’m not going to approach anybody personally then. I will continue to play quarterback, but my concerns will still be discussed then,” Carr was cryptic.

In addition, the playmaker added that his advisers have a good relationship with the Raiders’ management. “I’m not going to interrupt anybody’s dinner and say what needs to be talked about. I will address my things in a different way,” he further explained.

Carr is entering the final year of the five-year contract he signed with the Raiders in 2017 after the current season. Should he leave the Raiders via trade or release, the Raiders would save close to US$20 million in cap space.

Carr’s future with the Raiders also likely hinges on the second big decision to be made by team owner Mark Davis.

Carr decision hinges on new coach

The fact that the Raiders ended up in the playoffs at all is a minor miracle anyway. The season in Las Vegas was turned upside down by several scandals. With the resignation of head coach Jon Gruden or the fatal accident caused by wide receiver Henry Ruggs, the Raiders made headlines more off the field.

That’s why the performance of interim head coach Rich Bisaccia should be rated all the more highly. “If it were up to me, the decision would be very easy,” said defence star Maxx Crosby after the game: “He’s a great coach. He’s given us 10 wins and we gave Cincinnati everything we had.”

Quarterback Carr also put in a good word at the transition coach, which could possibly weigh heavier. “I think we all know he’s the right man for the job. I’m not going to make that decision, but if you look at the big picture, he was the guy that held it all together,” Carr said.

As the “NFL Network” reported on Saturday before the playoff clash, Carr’s future is directly linked to the choice of the new head coach. According to internal sources, the playmaker wants to have a clear say in the coaching question.

It is therefore all the more astonishing how much he is lobbying for Bisaccia, who will be allowed to campaign for an extension of his contract in the coming weeks. Rumours are already swirling about a big-name external solution.

Jim Harbaugh hot candidate in Las Vegas

Although he is currently still under contract at Michigan University, college coach Jim Harbaugh is one of the most notable candidates on the coaching market after publicly stating he could envision a return to the NFL.

As a head coach in the NFL, Harbaugh has a record of 44 wins, 19 losses and one tie. In 2012, he even led the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl, where the Baltimore Ravens had the better end.

According to a report on the “NFL Network”, the Raiders have already expressed interest in Harbaugh, should he indeed come on the market. The successful coach, in turn, is also showing interest in joining the Raiders, where he was previously employed as quarterbacks coach in 2002 and 2003.

It remains to be seen whether negotiations between the two parties will actually take place. No matter who the Raiders bosses ultimately present as the new head coach: It can be assumed that franchise quarterback Derek Carr will be involved in the decision.

If owner Mark Davis and Co. risk going it alone, the Raiders’ quarterback position might also have to be re-evaluated. The hot phase in Las Vegas begins.