Instead of the Big Apple, Derek Carr is heading to New Orleans. The Saints are closing in on a four-year cope with the previous Pro Bowl quarterback, in response to NFL Media Monday.
Recent stories instructed that Jets have been the frontrunners to land Carr. Yet the Saints, who had been within the working to amass him from the start, managed to lure the offseason’s prime out there quarterback.
The Raiders’ all-time profession passing chief, Carr was a four-time Pro Bowl choice throughout his 9 years with the franchise. A league MVP candidate previous to getting harm late within the 2016 season, Carr led the Raiders to the franchise’s solely two playoff appearances since 2002.
Carr was benched this previous yr after having considered one of his finest seasons thus far in 2021. Despite an in-season teaching change and the arrest of receiver Henry Ruggs III, Carr nonetheless managed to throw for over 4,800 yards whereas finishing over 68% of his passes throughout the 2021 season. His play that season helped the Raiders make the playoffs for the primary time since 2016.
The 2022 season, nonetheless, was considered one of Carr’s worst. The nine-year veteran accomplished simply 60.8% of his passes, his lowest mark since his rookie season. He additionally threw 14 interceptions in simply 15 begins as Las Vegas went 6-9 with Carr beneath middle — regardless of the addition of All-Pro wideout Davante Adams. Raiders coach Josh McDaniels benched Carr in favor of Jarrett Stidham, who misplaced each of his begins because the Raiders completed the season with a 6-11 report.
While his preliminary plan was to retire as a Raider, Carr mentioned earlier this offseason that he meant to proceed his profession elsewhere.
“I as soon as mentioned that if I’m not a Raider I might fairly be at dwelling and I meant that, however I by no means envisioned it ending this manner,” Carr mentioned by way of social media. “That fireplace burning inside me to win a championship nonetheless rages. A hearth no man can extinguish; solely God. So I stay up for a brand new metropolis and a brand new group who, regardless of the circumstance, will get the whole lot I’ve. Winning a championship is what I’ve all the time wished and what I’ll proceed to work in direction of.”
The Saints’ offense has some proficient gamers, most notably five-time Pro Bowl working again Alvin Kamara. However, the offense additionally has a number of pending query marks that features Michael Thomas’ future with the membership after a number of harm plagued seasons. The offensive line can be in want of upgrades after being one of many league’s worst items in 2022.