As the deadline for the Las Vegas Raiders to trade quarterback Derek Carr, the efforts to move him and the level of interest from NFL teams could be decisive factors in the outcome.
Las Vegas must cut or trade Carr before Feb. 15, otherwise, his $32.9 million base salary next year and $7.9 million owed in 2024 become fully guaranteed. With the organization ready to move on from its long-time starter, the Raiders have been exploring trade options around the league.
Related: Las Vegas Raiders playing hardball with Derek Carr
While the Senior Bowl will be an important moment for the franchise, with many NFL general managers in attendance for in-person discussions, there has reportedly been minimal progress toward a trade. Las Vegas hasn’t given Carr permission to seek out a trade, preventing him from communicating with his next employer and coaching staff.
The Raiders’ approach is providing Carr with more leverage. When he signed his contract extension in 2022, the deal included a no-trade clause. if the Raiders don’t allow him to pursue a trade, communicating with teams to determine who he wants to play for, he can block any deal and force Las Vegas to release him.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated addressed the situation, reporting that the trade market for Carr ‘hasn’t really materialized’ outside of preliminary dialogue between teams. However, he does believe the New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers could all be in the mix for Carr.
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The Jets are also believed to be a potential landing spot for Carr, but co-owner Woody Johnson would likely prioritize pursuing an Aaron Rodgers trade.
In regards to the three NFC South teams, Tampa Bay might only be interested in Carr if he becomes a free agent. The Buccaneers are tight against the NFL salary cap, making draft picks more valuable for a franchise that needs affordable talent. Considering Tampa Bay still wants Tom Brady to return and he isn’t expected to announce his decision until weeks after the Super Bowl, trading for Carr before Feb. 15 is probably out of the question.
Carr would represent a significant quarterback upgrade for the Panthers, who have relied upon stop-gap options in recent years. However, owner David Tepper wants a franchise quarterback that the team can be built around and he might only view Carr as a bridge starter.
While the Panthers and Buccaneers seem unlikely to land Carr, the Saints are an ideal landing spot. New Orleans already boasts the offensive weapons sufficient enough to support the veteran quarterback and he would be their best starter since Drew Brees retired.
With the franchise always in win-now mode and coach Dennis Allen likely coaching for his job in 2023, the Saints could become the favorite to acquire Carr this offseason.
