After the recent blockbuster trade that sent Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Baltimore Ravens, many fans and analysts are left wondering how struggling franchises can retain their star players. It’s a question that has plagued teams for years, as they struggle to keep their top talent from being lured away by bigger and more successful organizations. But one Raiders legend has come up with a revolutionary plan to put an end to this problem once and for all.
Derek Carr, who has spent his entire career with the Raiders, recently spoke out about the issue and proposed a new special tag for franchise stars like Crosby. “You designate this guy, and you are on a ten-year contract,” Carr said on a recent podcast. This bold idea has caught the attention of many in the football world, and it could be the solution that struggling franchises have been searching for.
The idea behind this special tag is simple yet effective. By designating a player as a franchise star, the team is essentially locking them in for a longer period of time. This not only gives the team more time to build a winning roster around their star player, but it also provides stability and security for the player. This is especially important for players like Crosby, who have proven themselves to be valuable assets to their team.
But why ten years? Carr explains that this length of time is crucial in keeping players from jumping ship to other teams. “Ten years is a long time, and it’s hard to imagine a player wanting to leave a team after being locked in for that long,” he said. And he’s right. In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing NFL, ten years is an eternity. It’s a commitment that not many players would be willing to make, but for those who are designated as franchise stars, it could be the key to their long-term success.
This idea is not without its critics, of course. Some argue that it goes against the principles of free agency and player mobility. But Carr believes that this special tag would only apply to a select few players who have proven themselves to be true franchise stars. And for these players, the benefits far outweigh any potential drawbacks.
The Raiders’ recent trade of Crosby to the Ravens is a prime example of why this plan is needed. Crosby, who was drafted by the Raiders in 2019, quickly became a fan favorite and a key player on the team’s defense. But after just two seasons, he was traded to the Ravens, leaving many Raiders fans disappointed and frustrated. With the special tag in place, this trade may not have happened, and Crosby could have remained a Raider for the foreseeable future.
But it’s not just about retaining star players. This special tag could also be a game-changer for struggling franchises. By locking in their top talent for a longer period of time, teams would have more time to build a winning roster and establish a winning culture. This would not only benefit the team on the field but also off the field, as it could attract more top talent to join the organization.
Of course, there are still some details that need to be worked out, such as how the special tag would affect a team’s salary cap and how it would be determined which players qualify for it. But the idea itself is a step in the right direction and could potentially change the landscape of the NFL.
In conclusion, Derek Carr’s revolutionary plan to stop teams from losing their franchise stars is a game-changer that could benefit both players and struggling franchises. By designating players as franchise stars and locking them in for a longer period of time, teams would have more stability and security, while players would have the opportunity to build a long and successful career with one team. It’s a win-win situation that could bring about a new era of success for struggling franchises. Let’s hope that the NFL takes notice and considers implementing this revolutionary plan.

