Which Team Will Add Derek Carr In 2023?
Wednesday’s unusual development — Derek Carr leaving the Raiders following news of his benching — makes it clear the two sides expect to part ways soon. That opens the door for the Raiders’ first full search for a new starter since they selected Carr in Round 2 in 2014, and it moves a proven quarterback on the trade block.
The Raiders balked at trading Carr in the past, and the 49ers’ Jimmy Garoppolo saga this year shows just how premature the assumption of a deal can be. But it certainly appears the Raiders plan to move Carr. There will be teams interested, but the acquiring franchise will have to get a $40.4 billion guarantee and be attractive enough for Carr to waive his no-trade clause. Where will the 31-year-old passer end up?
Some teams will be looking for a quarterback after last year’s acquisition, but some parties will be the ones that got off the carousel in 2022. The Jets figure to be a Carr suitor. They have seen their 2021 investment – pick no. 2 overall, Zach Wilson – bombing through his two-season run as the top starter. The defense the Jets rebuilt this offseason no longer gives Wilson a long NFL upside, and the BYU product may not be ready even with the benefit of a long track. With Wilson possibly on the way out in the middle of his rookie deal, the Jets extending Carr’s contract through 2025 would make sense.
We broached the subject on Wilson’s starting bench last month, and it would put the Jets — who employ former 49ers OC Mike LaFleur as their punter — in an interesting decision. Going after Carr in February would cut off a LaFleur-Garoppolo reunion in March. While Garoppolo’s healthy history may now place him behind Carr in team hierarchies, the former has extensive familiarity with LaFleur.
Carr, 31, becoming available also complicates the Giants’ path. They’ve seen a solid season from Daniel Jones, with the Dave Gettleman-era investment working with a bottom-tier receiving corps to carry the team to the playoff precipice. With a more proven option available, would the Joe Schoen-Brian Daboll duo pre-empt Jones negotiations by trading for Carr? If Jones leads the Giants to the playoffs, the prospect of seeing him at top receiver in 2023 — albeit, at a much higher price — would be an interesting one, and he’s six years younger than Carr .
The Tom Brady–Raiders rumors could be relentless over the next few weeks, provided the legendary passer doesn’t retire this time. The current expectation, barring retirement, is that Brady will leave the Buccaneers to finish his career. That would open up a spot for a veteran quarterback to pair with a Super Bowl core, albeit one that, especially on offense, has underwhelmed at an alarming rate this season. The Bucs were in the quarterback market during Brady’s first retirement, but timing could also rule them out of the Carr lottery. A Carr move in February — a month before Brady’s free agency — would arguably steer the greatest quarterback ever out of town. That would be a rather strange conclusion to this memorable Bucs chapter.
If Carson Wentz’s return doesn’t land the Commanders a playoff spot, he could be on the move for a third straight offseason. Washington can take free bait. This franchise has been searching for QB continuity since the franchise tag years of Kirk Cousins after entering six straight seasons with a new starter. Carr, who has missed two regular season games due to injury in his career, would ensure that.
He would also cost more than Wentz, who remains tied to a $32 million-a-year extension the Eagles signed in 2019. Wentz is tied for just $20 million and $21 million in base salary over two years. next. Carr’s deal includes future bases of $32.9 million (guaranteed in a trade), $41.9 million ($7.5 million of which would be guaranteed) and $41.2 million. The Chiefs hire Jack Del Rio, who coached Carr for three seasons, as defensive coordinator.
The Saints traded their 2023 first-round pick to the Eagles and waived their original 2022 QB draft earlier this offseason. Benching Jameis Winston for Andy Dalton hasn’t moved the needle in terms of wins, though Pro Football Focus surprisingly rates Dalton as a top-five QB this season. Dalton’s deal expires at the end of the season. New Orleans, typically, sits 32nd in projected cap space for 2023. The Saints sit $53.9 million over the projected 2023 salary cap, per OverTheCap. While Mickey Loomis has gotten out of the worst trouble, adding that Carr’s contract would be a new challenge for the experienced GM. The Saints use Carr’s first NFL HC (Dennis Allen), although he was only with Oakland for a few games before Carr was fired.
Carolina has attempted bigger changes at QB over the past two seasons, offering a first-round pick and change for Matthew Stafford and offering a three-and-change for Deshaun Watson. The Panthers are preparing to pursue a QB again. Is re-signing Sam Darnold a viable option, or will David Tepper try to make a significant improvement. Carr may not qualify as a huge splash, but he would likely provide an upgrade for a team that has intriguing pieces at several positions.
None of the teams that traded for Matt Ryan have sure answers for 2023, though Carr may not be a good fit for either the Colts or Falcons. Indianapolis is trying to secure its first top-five pick since Peyton Manning’s injury year that produced Andrew Luck. After consistently trying out veterans, Indianapolis may have a chance to land an impact prospect. Desmond Ridder being the undisputed starter would be a risk for the Falcons next year, but they are still on a rebuilding road. That said, Arthur Smith will be entering Year 3. Pairing Carr with Kyle Pitts and Drake London would be interesting.
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