We already know that the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints have registered interest in four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Carr.
New Orleans met with Carr before he was released by the Las Vegas Raiders earlier in February. After enacting his no-trade clause and being freed, Carr then met with the Jets last weekend.
While New York and New Orleans have to be seen as odds-on favorites to land Carr, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler is reporting that three unnamed teams have joined the market for his services.
This changes the dynamics in a big way. Earlier on Friday, it was noted that the former Fresno State star was looking at $35-plus million annually on a new contract. If the market for Carr’s services increases beyond these two teams, supply and demand becomes a major component.
Most NFL executives view Carr as the second-best quarterback available this offseason behind four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers. Though, acquiring Carr via free agency wouldn’t come with the cost of sending multiple first-round picks in the other direction like a Rodgers trade would.
Related: Derek Carr and the top-400 NFL free agents of 2023
Figuring out the Derek Carr free agent market
First off, it must be noted that Carr is free to sign with any team of his choosing. The same can’t be said about other impending free agents such as Daniel Jones and Jimmy Garoppolo, who will have to wait until the new league year opens next month. This means that the veteran quarterback has the market to himself.
Whether it’s PR spin or something else, two quarterback-needy teams have leaked that they’re intent with in-house options under center. That includes the Washington Commanders with Sam Howell and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers viewing another young signal caller in Kyle Trask as QB1 material. Of course, this could all be public posturing.
Outside of those two teams, there’s a number of squads who are in need of a quarterback of Carr’s ilk. That list includes the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers.
- Derek Carr stats: 65% completion, 35,222 yards, 217 TD, 99 INT, 91.8 QB rating
Despite his regression in Josh McDaniels’ first season as the Raiders’ head coach, Carr’s track record speaks for itself. That’s why there’s a number of teams interested in his services.
Meanwhile, that $35 million per-year market is indicative of what we’re seeing with quarterbacks right now. It would tie Kirk Cousins for the ninth-largest amount among NFL signal callers with the likes of Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow likely to cash in on more expensive deals at some point soon.
Circling back to the three unnamed teams that have interest in Derek Carr, there’s a couple surprises that might come to mind.
We’re hearing reports about the New England Patriots not being sold on Mac Jones as their franchise guy after he struggled as a sophomore. Head coach Bill Belichick is the second-oldest individual at his position in the NFL and might want to go with a win-now quarterback after missing out on the playoffs two of the past three seasons.
There’s also a chance the San Francisco 49ers kick the tires on Carr. Jimmy Garoppolo is as good as gone in free agency. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Trey Lance is returning from injury. There’s reportedly a lack of confidence within the 49ers’ organization that he can be the guy.
With Brock Purdy set to undergo elbow surgery after suffering an injury in the NFC Championship Game, San Francisco’s quarterback situation remains in question. The team was linked to Tom Brady before he retired. It has also been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Rodgers.
Just some food for thought as the Derek Carr situation plays out around the NFL rumor mill.