Why Derek Carr's Best Landing Spot is With the Buccaneers

Now that he's free, Derek Carr needs to make the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the first number he calls.

Things move fast sometimes in the NFL, so it's possible Derek Carr will sign with a new team before we even get done telling you why his first call should be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

But here we go anyway. 

Bottom line up front, the Bucs represent Carr's best chance to win now, and best chance to become a franchise staple for the remainder of his career. 

There has been a lot of conversation surrounding whether or not Tampa Bay is interested in bringing in the nearly 32-year-old quarterback. 

For multiple reasons, if the Buccaneers come calling, then Carr needs to take a serious look at making Florida his new home. 

The speculated front-runners here include the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, and even the Carolina Panthers. 

READ MORE: Buccaneers listed with top odds to land Four-Time Pro Bowl Quarterback

With many anticipating Aaron Rodgers moving from the Green Bay Packers to play for the Jets, that option may not be there. 

The Saints, Panthers, and Bucs are all in similar salary cap situations, and even hold the exact same amount of NFL Draft picks and selections in the top 100. 

So, side by side, it boils down to which team is most set up for success today, and tomorrow. 

This is where Carr himself comes in. 

For decades, people have wanted to recreate retired quarterback Tom Brady's success. 

Part of that success that goes unmentioned oftentimes is his willingness to take less money in favor of allowing his team to sign more players. 

The trickledown of this is not only more money to sign others but a sudden willingness of those players to take less money they might get otherwise. 

Now, the 'Carr Effect' would not compare to Brady's of course, but the biggest hurdle to making his arrival to the Buccaneers work is money. 

According to Over The Cap, Tampa Bay can move from its -$55 million salary cap figure to around $47 million without releasing a single player. 

In just one roster move that many Bucs fans are calling for, the team could free up another $10 million. 

READ MORE: Sean Payton Recruiting Former Buccaneers Star to Denver Broncos

With these figures, it's fully possible for the Buccaneers to re-sign the likes of linebacker Lavonte David who says he wants to stay with the team while adding Carr, and leaving room to add key players in the upcoming NFL Draft. 

If Carr is willing to take less, or at least push, some of the money coming in his next contract.

Not only could Carr's Brady-like approach land him with the back-to-back defending NFC South Division winners, but he could also help the team kick the proverbial can down the road a bit further.

It keeps Tampa Bay's playoff contender window open a bit longer, gives coach Todd Bowles a more seasoned quarterback to right the ship with, and gives Carr his best shot at reaching the pinnacle of professional football since the 2016 season.

Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82

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