Potential landing spots for Derek Carr
Las Vegas, Nevada (PSF) - As the 2022 NFL season is coming to an end the Las Vegas Raiders have decided to move on from quarterback Derek Carr. In his 8 years with the Raiders Carr passed for 35,222 yards with 217 passing touchdowns, along with two playoff appearances with the team. Carr will be a great addition to teams just outside of the playoff bubble with his leadership and ability on the field. The biggest questions are where Carr will land, here are a few potential teams that would benefit from picking up Derek Carr.
New York Jets:
The Jets are a team in desperate need of a quarterback after rotating the likes of Mike White, Zack Wilson, and Joe Flacco this season. The Jets finished the regular season 8-9 just missing out on making the playoffs. The QB position was their biggest issue this season, with the team not having a solid starting option. Their offense is loaded with a lot of young talent with Breece Hall and Garret Wilson showing great production in their rookie seasons, along with a stellar defense thanks to rookie CB Sauce Gardner. This is a no brainer for the two parties, as Carr will want to compete to make the playoffs and the Jets will have their long term QB to help develop the young talent in the team. If the Jets were to trade their first-round pick for Carr, it could help the team finally get back to the postseason.
Indianapolis Colts:
The Colts are an interesting team coming into this offseason. After a disastrous season riddled with injuries and the loss of their head coach the team finished 4-12-1 and currently have the fourth overall pick in the upcoming draft. The Colts have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, and it is unlikely that they will get one of the two best QB’s in this draft with Bryce Young or CJ Stroud. Most mock drafts have the Colts taking Will Levis from Kentucky; however, a trade for Derek Carr could be a better decision. The project with Matt Ryan did not work out but the Colts could make massive improvements from last season with a new coach and a long term QB. Getting Carr over Levis takes the risk out of drafting a young QB, knowing with Carr you will have an experienced QB who has great production. While the Raiders would have to give up more than just Carr for the Colts 4th overall pick, the trade could improve both teams.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Tampa Bay drastically underperformed this season going 8-9. Losing key members of their offensive line to injuries with Ryan Jensen missing the entire season, and Tristan Wirfs missing a portion of the season hurt the offense production of the team. Along with now free agent QB Tom Brady’s off field issues the team did not look like the Tampa Bay we all have watched over the last few years. With Brady likely to either retire or leave in free agency this year a move for Carr would be an opportunity to investigate. While they have been developing Kyle Trask the past few years, Carr would fill the hole they would have with losing Brady. The Bucs offense can be very dangerous with the talent of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Leonard Fournette. Along with an amazing offensive line Carr would have an amazing time in Tampa and would be able to continue his success in the league. The Bucs are too good of a team to gamble with a young guy and getting Carr via trade would solidify their strength as a team in the NFC South.
Ultimately it is up to Carr and the Raiders where he ends up, but the number of good teams in need of a quarterback will help the Raiders off load him this offseason.