So, how did things go between Derek Carr and the Carolina Panthers yesterday? Well, they went quite well according to head coach Frank Reich.
Right upon taking the podium at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, Reich was asked of his team’s talks with free-agent quarterback Derek Carr.
“Yeah, good meeting with Derek,” he said. “Really have a lot of respect for what he’s accomplished in his career, the kind of player he is, the kind of person he is. You know, just to see, ‘Is this the right fit? Is this an answer?’ I think part of that is—yeah, this is a good option. But we have to look it through. We’re looking at all options.”
Reich was also asked about owner David Tepper’s presence in the meeting, stating that he—and the rest of the braintrust—must come together to make the best decision possible.
“He’s got a unique perspective,” Reich replied. “Both he and Nicole [Tepper] were in there—obviously along with Scott [Fitterer], Dan [Morgan], and Samir [Suleiman]. That’s our leadership team. We’re doing this together. Obviously, as a head coach, you have a certain role in it, and you play that role. But it’s a collaborative effort to make a big decision on who’s gonna be our quarterback. So, I think it was a very good meeting.”
He then went into explain why the four-time Pro Bowler is an option for his Panthers in 2023 and beyond.
“Derek is an excellent leader, he’s an excellent passer, he’s very accomplished,” he said. “You look at the fit—how does it fit with our team and our locker room. He checks a lot of boxes you’re looking for in a quarterback—no question.”
While the 31-year-old wouldn’t fit the “draft and develop” dream for the organization, Carr could get the Panthers contending sooner rather than later. But how many of those boxes will be worth paying for when it’s all said and done?
