Raiders Bench Derek Carr; Falcons Trade Target This Offseason?

The Atlanta Falcons could be in the quarterback market this offseason. And Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr could be a fit.

Jeremy Brener | Dec 29, 2022

The Las Vegas Raiders appear to be moving on from quarterback Derek Carr after choosing to demote him from his starting role for the final two games of the season.

Carr, who turns 32 this offseason, signed a three-year, $121.5 million in April after leading the Raiders to the playoffs in 2021.

The Raiders haven't enjoyed the same kind of success this season and there's potential that the team looks to move on from its starting quarterback since 2014.

Carr joins the quarterback carousel for the offseason, which includes several veterans and spots, including the Atlanta Falcons.

ESPN believes Atlanta is one of the potential landing spots for Carr.

"The Falcons are moving on from Marcus Mariota, and while they spent a third-round pick on Desmond Ridder, teams don't usually let that sort of capital stand in their way if they think a better quarterback is coming available in the draft or free agency," ESPN writes. "Atlanta will also have cap space next offseason for the first time in years, leaving it in position to absorb a larger contract at quarterback if it can acquire that passer on the cheap."

Carr's 3,522 passing yards rank 11th in the league this season. He's had proven success with elevating pass-catchers including Darren Waller, Hunter Renfrow and Davante Adams, all of whom have caught over 1,000 yards in a season with Carr under center. That could help elevate Kyle Pitts and Drake London, both of whom eye better seasons in 2023.

There are a number of other options for the Falcons, including Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill and San Francisco 49ers signal caller Jimmy Garoppolo, but Carr's benching has to add him into the mix as well.

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Published Dec 29, 2022

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.