As Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler settle into their roles as head coach and GM of the Las Vegas Raiders, respectively, one of the first things they will need to decide is whether or not they are committed long term to Derek Carr as quarterback.
The 30-year-old veteran is coming off a solid season in which he led the Raiders to a playoff berth, but he has one year left on his deal, which means it’s time for the Raiders to decide if Carr will be a part of their future under the new regime.
It is probable that Carr could very well be on his way out. The Raiders could get a decent return for him, too, if they choose to trade him rather than playing out his final year of his contract.
If they do decide to move on from Carr, here are some potential landing spots for the quarterback:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs could be undergoing a potentially big transformation this offseason with Tom Brady retired and guys like Leonard Fournette, Chris Godwin and Rob Gronkowski all pending free agents.
Bringing in a veteran like Carr would keep the team competitive in the NFC South. He’d still have Mike Evans as a top receiver and would be protected by a Bucs offensive line that allowed the fewest pressures in the league every time Brady dropped back last year. Plus, Carr could benefit from Bruce Arians’ scheme.
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Washington Commanders
The newly named Commanders are in need of a quarterback. Ron Rivera has actually started six different quarterbacks through two seasons in Washington, so finding some stability would be nice for the franchise.
Carr could certainly provide that. He’s missed only two games in his career and brings some veteran leadership that would jell nicely with Ron Rivera at the helm. He would have plenty of weapons at his disposal, too, in Antonio Gibson, Terry McLaurin and Logan Thomas and should give the Commanders a chance to compete in the NFC East.
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Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson could force Seattle’s hand to trade him out of town, so what better scenario than swapping him for another veteran QB in Derek Carr? Both quarterbacks would get a fresh start with their new franchises and Carr would have playmakers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett in his receiving corps.
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New Orleans Saints
The Saints just missed the playoffs with backup Trevor Siemian under center, so trading for Derek Carr would make them instant contenders, ideally.
There are, of course, some variables at play in New Orleans. Sean Payton is no longer the head coach and is being replaced by Dennis Allen, so it will be interesting to see what impact that has on the team. Alvin Kamara is embattled in some legal trouble while we still are not quite sure what to expect out of Michael Thomas in 2022.
One thing for sure is that the Saints do need a quarterback and Carr presents a viable option that would allow them to continue to be contenders.
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Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are in search for an heir to Ben Roethlisberger and Carr could fill that void. The leadership he displayed last year in Las Vegas through a tumultuous and season filled with adversity is the kind of quality that would immediately endear him to the Pittsburgh fanbase.
And while Roethlisberger is a beloved Hall of Fame QB, he was not quite the same in his last season and the addition of Carr would be an upgrade at the position after the Steelers managed to sneak into the playoffs on the backs of their elite defense. If they can find the package to strike a deal, Carr would be an ideal fit.
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