During the 2016 season, the Oakland Raiders finally made back to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

Carr was drafted by Oakland in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft and has made marked improvement in each of his three NFL seasons. Last season, he completed a career-high 63.7 percent of his passes for 3,937 yards, 28 touchdowns and six interceptions. Carr’s high level of play helped the Raiders complete their turnaround even though he was unable to play in the playoffs as he suffered a broken fibula against the Colts in Week 16. 

The Raiders’ front office made sure that Carr would be a part of their future long-term as both sides reached an agreement on a mega five-year, $125 million contract extension.

Carr’s extension now makes him the highest paid player in the NFL, surpassing Andrew Luck, who signed a five-year, $122 million deal last offseason.

Carr will get $40 million guaranteed, along with $70 million in total guarantees, and a $12.5 million signing bonus.

Reggie McKenzie and the rest of the Raiders' front office did a great job getting this deal done as they locked up their franchise quarterback for the foreseeable future.

If Carr can stay healthy, especially with the addition of running back Marshawn Lynch and the other pieces around him on both sides of the ball.

Grade for the Raiders: A+

For Carr, this was a well-deserved extension, as he along with wide receiver Amari Cooper and linebacker Khalil Mack have made the Raiders relevant once again. 

JaMarcus Russell was a bust, Terrelle Pryor is turning into one of the game’s exciting wide receivers, and Carson Palmer is still chugging along in Arizona. The Raiders have also started the likes of Charlie Frye, Jason Campbell, Bruce Gradkowski and Daunte Culpepper between Carr and Rich Gannon.

Carr’s new extension has also given the Raiders flexibility to lock up their other core pieces such as Mack and offensive lineman Gabe Jackson to long-term deals, which is what the quarterback had in mind.

"We figured out a way to do it so that we have the opportunity to sign the other guys that I think are important to this organization," Carr said on Friday at his press conference. "That was really important to me. Not to just take every single dime that we could. I hope that that's known.”

This quote shows that he is not only thinking about the team first, but also realizes how important each guy is to the success of the Raiders. For the Raiders to have long-term success, they need guys like Mack and Jackson to be dominant forces.

However, with Carr receiving this extension, there will be immense pressure on him to lead the Raiders to a Super Bowl. 

Grade for Carr: A