Is Derek Carr the Right Answer to the Jets' Quarterback Question?

Free agent Derek Carr suffered a lackluster 2022 season in Las Vegas, but he offers plenty of intrigue for QB-starved franchises like New York

USA Today Sports

It didn’t exactly go well for Derek Carr last year in Las Vegas.

Not only did he lose the starting quarterback job, but he endured what was arguably his worst statistical performance since his rookie season (2014).

Carr’s 60.8 completion percentage was at its lowest level since the Fresno State product’s maiden NFL voyage when he connected on only 58.1 percent of his 599 pass attempts.

Before being benched after a Week 16 loss, Carr totaled 3,522 yards through the air in 15 games while accounting for his lowest yards per pass average (7.0) since 2017. The veteran signal caller accounted for 24 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions en-route to a 6-9 record as the starter.

Carr faltered significantly down the stretch, presumably leading to his benching by head coach Josh McDaniels with two weeks remaining in the regular season.

His completion percentage did not rise above 55.0 percent in any of his last four starts. Carr was intercepted seven times over that four-week stretch while averaging fewer than 200 pass yards per outing.

Yikes, Derek Carr 😬

Steelers Win! 🎄 #HereWeGo

(🎥: @NFL)pic.twitter.com/GEJPSKR4dC

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 25, 2022

Despite Carr’s ugly exit from Las Vegas, New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas spoke highly of the free agent quarterback who recently visited with team brass.

“High level producer, but really a phenomenal person. Ultra intelligent. Highly competitive. A lot of things to like,” Douglas said during his media availability session at the 2023 NFL Combine.

It’s easy to understand the intrigue when it comes to the Jets’ possible signing of Carr.

He eclipsed the 4,000-yard passing mark in each of the four consecutive seasons leading up to his 2022 disappointment.

His 2021 campaign was highlighted by a career-high 4,804 regular-season pass yards, a 68.4 completion percentage and an AFC Wildcard playoff berth.

On the surface, Carr is a four-time Pro Bowl selection who has already reached the 35,000-yard passing plateau and the 200 passing touchdowns milestone for his career.

In 2015, the native Californian quarterback threw a career-best 32 touchdown passes while being intercepted only 13 times in 573 pass attempts. One year later, Carr accounted for a 28-to-6 TD:INT ratio over a 15-game span.

Derek Carr celebrates a last-second win over the Jets in 2020 at MetLife Stadium / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

It’s his recent history, however, that invites cause for concern.

Theoretically speaking, 2022 should have been Carr’s best season as a Raider, especially after Las Vegas added All-Pro receiver Davante Adams to an already loaded offensive unit.

In addition to targets like Adams and tight end Darren Waller, Carr had the benefit of a productive run game supporting him. Raiders running back Josh Jacobs won the NFL rushing title by piling up 1,653 yards on the ground.

“We’re going to be exploring the veteran quarterback market and look at every available option,” said Douglas.

Despite his less than fabulous last year in Las Vegas, Carr is one of those available options and the Jets appear to be interested.

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