Carr wanted deal structured so Raiders can still re-sign other key players

One of the league's brightest young stars at the most important position on the field, Derek Carr was bound to get a record-breaking deal to secure his future with the Oakland Raiders.

But that's not to say he's was only focused on getting his.

Discussing his five-year, $125-million extension at a press conference Friday, Carr explained that he wanted the contract structured in a way that wouldn't hinder the Raiders' efforts to re-sign other key players over the next few years.

"How do we keep my teammates?" Carr recalled asking his agent, according to Michael Gehlken of The Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Carr added: "Is this good for Gabe (Jackson)? Is this good for Khalil (Mack)? Is this good for (Amari Cooper)?"

Jackson, a foundational piece on a stellar Raiders offensive line, will be up for an extension at some point before he has the opportunity to test free agency in March.

Negotiations for Mack's eventual megadeal will presumably ramp up next offseason, as both sides will want to reach an agreement to keep him from playing out his fifth-year option. Cooper should be in the same situation the year after.

More flexibility to retain other top players would, of course, go a long way toward maximizing the Raiders' ceiling with Carr at the helm.

The former second-round pick had been in the midst of his most productive season before suffering a broken leg last December, leading the Raiders to 12 wins and their first playoff berth since 2002.