Las Vegas benched its all-time passing leader QB Derek Carr last week, signaling a new era of Raiders football is approaching. It has yet to be determined if Las Vegas intends to trade or release the 31-year-old quarterback.
Carr, who is tied for the league lead in interceptions with 14, has a Feb. 15 deadline before he’s due $40.4 million. If Las Vegas doesn’t release him before then, the money vests, making a trade difficult at his price.
Here are teams that may be interested in Carr in the offseason.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Buccaneers QB Tom Brady, a pending free agent, could be out in Tampa Bay. Will he and Carr swap teams? Brady’s history with Raiders HC Josh McDaniels, the ex-Patriots offensive coordinator, might entice him.
Brady could retire, but either scenario would leave Tampa Bay’s QB room with journeyman Blaine Gabbert and 2021 second-round pick Kyle Trask. An established veteran QB could keep HC Todd Bowles off the hot seat.
Despite the Buccaneers’ mediocre record (8-8), their supporting cast is still capable of being elite. WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin can still produce 1,000-yard receiving seasons, and Tampa Bay’s defense remains stout. A fully healthy offensive line could help Tampa Bay return to form.
Tampa Bay must shed salaries this offseason. It has the 19th-most cap space in the NFL.
New York Jets
Had QB Zach Wilson not started nine games, the Jets (7-9) might be a playoff team. Luckily for the Jets, they found out now that Mike White isn’t the answer at QB either, leaving no reason for him to be the presumed starter for 2023.
As a team that has the potential to make the playoffs, the young and exciting Jets will be a desirable destination for all free-agent quarterbacks.
New York could swing for the fences, targeting Brady or Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, but that’s probably not realistic. QB Jimmy Garoppolo is a fit, but given the 49er QB’s foot injury, Carr would be a safer option. Carr has only missed three games in his career due to injury,
New York has an exciting, young crop of playmakers on offense, headlined by rookie WR Garrett Wilson (1,014 yards). RB Breece Hall appeared to be a budding star before suffering a torn ACL in Week 7.
The Jets would give Carr the best defense of his career. Their defense has only allowed 19.1 points per game this season, fourth best in the NFL.
Carr, who only has one career playoff appearance, may not make the Jets a legitimate Super Bowl contender, but he could end their 12-year playoff drought. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, a former NFL QB, agrees.
