After a month of visits, Derek Carr finally chose his new team.
According to multiple reports, Carr will sign a four-year contract with the Saints. Carr visited with the Saints, who finished 7-10, numerous times during the last month, including at the NFL Combine. He also met with the Jets and the Panthers after the Raiders released him on Feb. 14.
The Saints wanted to trade for Carr, but he declined to waive the no-trade clause in his contract. Las Vegas then released Carr before the Feb. 14 deadline, which would have guaranteed $40 million of his contract over the next couple of years.
Following a 7-10 season, the Jets are still searching for a veteran quarterback. Gang Green hosted Carr on Feb. 17 as he met with Jets coach Robert Saleh, general manager Joe Douglas and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
Despite meeting with Carr twice, the Jets failed to give him the commitment he sought. According to reports, Carr wanted to sign with the Jets, but they wanted to see if Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be available via trade.
Rodgers is still evaluating his NFL future as he considers retirement, returning to the Packers, or moving on to a different team. With Carr off the board, it is Rodgers or bust for the Jets.
If Rodgers does decide to retire or remain with the Packers, the Jets free agent options are limited. Jimmy Garoppolo, Geno Smith, Jacoby Brissett and Carson Wentz are among the free agency options, which will begin on Mar. 15.
The Jets also could still be monitoring the Ravens situation with Lamar Jackson. Baltimore and Jackson have yet to agree on a long-term deal as he is reportedly looking for a contract similar to the five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed deal the Browns gave Deshaun Watson last year.
“It’s like everything else, right now, we’re studying our guys, we’re going through free agency, we’re looking at the draft, so there’s a lot of overlap with regards to what we’re doing in our day-to-day process,” Saleh said about the process finding their quarterback.
“This morning, we’re going over some offensive scheme. In the afternoon, it’ll be defensive scheme. While we’re doing offense, defense is working on free agency and the draft and vice versa. It’s just trying to divvy up the time and make sure that we’re going through our normal process day in and day out. I guess you get used to it after all this time.”
