Derek Carr trade odds: Jets, Colts, Commanders, Panthers, Titans lead 2023 favorites as next team for departing Raiders quarterback
Where will Raiders quarterback Derek Carr play next season?
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The Derek Carr era is over for the Raiders. Coach Josh McDaniels benched Carr -- one of the statistically best but most polarizing quarterbacks in franchise history -- for the final two games of the regular season, and Carr wasn't even with the team for those games in a mutual decision to avoid being a distraction. The three-time Pro Bowler announced on Thursday that he has decided to leave Las Vegas, which followed a report by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that the Raiders have begun exploring trade options. SportsLine offers odds on Carr's 2023 team.
NFL contracts are the most misleading in sports. Yes, the Raiders signed Carr to a three-year, $121.5 million extension last offseason, which included a no-trade clause. Yet the Raiders would only be on the hook for roughly a $5 million salary-cap hit for 2023 if Carr is released within three days after Super Bowl 57. Part of the reason Carr was benched was that had he gotten injured in one of the final two games, his $32.9 million salary for next season and $7.5 million of his salary for 2024 would have become guaranteed.
The New York Jets are the favorites to land Carr. It has become obvious that former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson isn't the long-term answer; perhaps the Raiders would take him in a trade? Mike White clearly isn't the answer either, as he proved in an ugly New Year's Day loss in Seattle that eliminated the Jets from playoff contention. New York already has a Super Bowl-caliber defense and some very good young talent at receiver and running back. The Jets also have been linked to Jimmy Garoppolo.
Indianapolis has been looking for a quarterback since Andrew Luck retired. Matt Ryan won't be back in 2023 and next season's starter likely isn't on the roster right now (the other quarterbacks are Nick Foles and Sam Ehlinger). The Colts might decide to select a QB at No. 4 overall in the first round of April's draft, or could trade with Chicago for the No. 1 pick to have their choice between Alabama's Bryce Young and Ohio State's CJ Stroud. Indy could use Carr as a one-year bridge.
New Orleans hasn't had much success this season with either Andy Dalton or Jameis Winston, and both figure to be elsewhere in 2023. Coach Dennis Allen, meanwhile, knows Carr from his time as Raiders coach from 2012-2014; Carr was drafted in 2014 and started immediately, although Allen was fired four games in.
Two other NFC South teams could be candidates in Carolina and Tampa Bay; the latter only if Tom Brady retires or chooses to leave -- perhaps to go to Las Vegas to reunite with McDaniels? The Bucs also have been linked to Garoppolo. The Panthers definitely will be doing something at the position after losing out on Deshaun Watson last offseason and cycling through Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and PJ Walker this year.
Washington coach Ron Rivera apparently will keep his job but offensive coordinator Scott Turner is out. Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke aren't starting-caliber NFL QBs. Maybe fifth-round rookie Sam Howell will be someday, but he looked overwhelmed at times during his debut in Week 18.
Tennessee could move on from Ryan Tannehill after missing the playoffs. Rookie Malik Willis has shown he's nowhere near ready yet to start. Josh Dobbs can't be the starter on a 2023 contender.
Geno Smith led Seattle to the postseason and could win NFL Comeback Player of the Year, but is a pending free agent. Could New England pursue Carr to push the inconsistent Mac Jones? What will Green Bay do if Aaron Rodgers retires?
Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Which team will Derek Carr play for Week 1 next season?
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