New 2023 QB option emerges for New York Jets
Can Derek Carr become a New York Jet?
The New York Jets figure to be the leading players in the NFL quarterback market for 2023. As we sit here on December 28, 2022, the 2023 quarterback carousel has already started spinning due to some big news out of Nevada.
On Wednesday, it was announced that the Las Vegas Raiders were benching Derek Carr for the remainder of the regular season in favor of Jarrett Stidham. Carr will be inactive.
The Raiders are cutting Derek Carr and returning to Jarrett Stidham as their new starting QB.
Carr has a league-high 14 tackles, including three Saturday night in a 13-10 loss to the Steelers.
Stidham has thrown just 61 passes and never started an NFL game. pic.twitter.com/IJa1LfYGXT
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 28, 2022
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that part of the reason for the benching is that Las Vegas wants to keep Carr healthy for a possible trade this offseason. Fowler says Carr’s market could “heat up after the Super Bowl.”
Sources: #Raiders have benched Derek Carr in part to preserve his health for a possible trade this offseason. He doesn’t want to risk injury and his market could heat up after the Super Bowl, sources say, though the option to stay is still on the table.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 28, 2022
Last April, Carr signed a three-year, $121.5 million contract extension that includes $65.3 million guaranteed, extending his contract through the 2025 season. The deal also contains a no-trade clause.
Carr’s entire 2023 salary and $7.5 million of his 2024 salary will become guaranteed on Feb. 15, three days after Super Bowl LVII. If Carr is dealt, it will likely be before that date.
of #Raiders would save $29.25 million in 2023 salary cap space if they traded or cut Derek Carr. This decision must be made 3 days after the Super Bowl. https://t.co/KIJxhFaWoi
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 28, 2022
Las Vegas had high expectations entering this season. The Raiders entered the year with an over 10.5 win rating at most sportsbooks after going 10-7 in the playoffs in 2021 and adding wide receiver Davante Adams in the offseason.
Things have not gone according to plan. The Raiders sit at 6-9, largely due to a shocking bullpen all year. They’re still mathematically alive for the playoffs, but you’ll need almost anything to finish 2-0 to get them into the postseason.
Carr is having a down year by his usual standards. He has completed 305 of 502 passes (60.8%) for 3,522 yards (7.0 per attempt), 24 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in the league. His 86.3 passer rating ranks 25th out of 33 qualifiers, though his 56.0 QBR ranks 13th.
Of 35 active eligible quarterbacks, Carr ranks 16th in career passer rating (91.8) and 16th in career net yards per pass attempt (6.43).
