On Super Bowl Sunday, it was reported that Derek Carr would not accept a trade to any team which forces the Raiders to release the veteran QB. This seems to be Carr sticking it to his old team, as the Raiders and the Saints did have the framework of a trade in place, but Ian Rapoport has reported that he will not accept a trade to any team.
This effectively forces the Raiders to release their long-time starter after nearly a decade under center for the silver and black. This will then make Carr one of the top free agents on the market, regardless of position.
Sources: #Raiders QB Derek Carr has informed the team he won’t accept a trade to the #Saints or any other team. The team is expected to release him and he’ll be a top free agent. pic.twitter.com/k0LcLRlDOo
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 12, 2023
In nine seasons as a starter in the NFL, Carr has thrown for over 35,000 passing yards and 200 touchdown passes. I don’t believe that wins are a QB stat, but his losing record as a starter in the NFL has created a lower opinion on the player than other quarterbacks.
Derek Carr will now be free to sign with any team he pleases, perhaps because he also wants to evaluate all of his options.
I do think Carr ends up on an NFC team unless one in the AFC makes an offer he can’t refuse. The NFC South seems to be the weakest division in football and is in a much weaker conference than the AFC which is loaded from top to bottom.
My personal preference for where Carr should land would be the Carolina Panthers, who have made some stellar hires in Frank Reich as the head coach, Ejiro Evero as the defensive coordinator, and Josh McCown as the QBs coach.
However, I could see other teams in the NFL making competitive offers for the veteran. I’m going to be very interested to see where Carr lands. He’s a good-not-great signal caller than teams can most certainly win with.
A team who may think that they have a window to win some easy games (cough, cough, Panthers) should be all over this player.https://withthefirstpick.com/2023/02/12/quarterback-contract-extensions