Rumors that the Las Vegas Raiders are not happy with starting quarterback Derek Carr have given in to another reality.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Las Vegas plans on going after Tom Brady once free agency opens up. Specifically, head coach Jon Gruden wants to bring Brady to the desert metropolis.
Even if the Raiders don’t land Brady, this seems to suggest that Carr will be calling a new city home in 2020. A total of $2.9 million of Carr’s $18.9 million base salary for next season becomes guaranteed on Wednesday.
While it’s unlikely that the Raiders will outright release Carr, a trade could be reported at some point soon. In fact, the timeline seems to suggest something could happen unofficially over the next week.
Here’s a look at the five best potential landing spots for Carr should Las Vegas look to trade him.
Carolina Panthers
By now it’s well known that the Panthers will look to trade Cam Newton in March. He missed 14 games this past season with a Lisfranc injury and is seen as a shell of his former self.
First-year head coach Matt Rhule will want his own guy under center. Sure, Carolina will likely look quarterback in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, but Carr offers a nice stopgap option and could likely be had for a mere second-round pick and change.
Washington Redskins
Dwayne Haskins figures to be given a chance under the Skins’ new brass. First-year head coach Ron Rivera has said as much. Despite this, those running the ship in D.C. don’t have a built-in relationship with Haskins after they cleaned house earlier in the offseason.
What does this mean? Washington could look to add a veteran quarterback in hopes of contention next season. Of the options available, Carr would likely come the cheapest in terms of draft pick compensation and salary.
Indianapolis Colts
Indy has been linked to Philip Rivers, among other top-end free-agent options. Simply put, the Colts aren’t sold on Jacoby Brissett after he struggled in the second half this past season. The Colts can get out from under Brissett’s contract and create $10-plus million in cap space.
We’re expecting that to happen in short order. Boasting an additional second-round pick and with a ton of money to spend, Indianapolis makes the most sense for Carr. It could offer up one of those second-round picks to pry Carr from Vegas.
Chicago Bears
Chicago is saying all the right things as it relates to struggling, young quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. That’s fine. What we do know is that the Bears are on the verge of wasting a championship-caliber defense with a quarterback unable to perform at a high level.
Despite his struggles, Carr would represent a marked upgrade from Trubisky in Nagy’s offense. The Bears also have an additional second-round pick (acquired from Las Vegas in the Khalil Mack trade) to entice the Raiders.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bruce Arians going after a veteran quarterback is nothing new. His Bucs have already been linked to Philip Rivers. With Jameis Winston unlikely to be back in 2020 after a historically bad performance last season, the need is most definitely here.
In Tampa, Carr would have the offensive weapons he’s been missing with the Raiders. That comes in the form of the dynamic tandem of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin at receiver. The Bucs should offer up a second-round pick and change to Las Vegas for Carr, hoping that a change of scenery helps the quarterback.