Saints Sign Derek Carr, Affecting Jets’ Quest to Find Veteran Quarterback

The Jets have stated their intentions to stabilize the offense with an experienced signal caller

The possibilities have decreased by one.

With the New York Jets looking to upgrade at quarterback, veteran Derek Carr is no longer an option.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport reported that Carr will sign with the New Orleans Saints.

The #Saints & Derek Carr agreed on a 4-yr deal for $150M with $100M in total guarantees, per me & @MikeGarafolo. He gets $70M effectively fully guaranteed ($60M at signing, another $10M in Year 3 vesting after Year 1). Carr structures his deal to accommodate Saints’ cap issues. pic.twitter.com/vs6qaBh7rg

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 6, 2023

The agreement with the Saints came one day after ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler suggested that Carr was leaning toward the Jets, who courted the veteran signal caller during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

Carr received his release from the Las Vegas Raiders last month following a disappointing 2022 campaign.

Despite the Raiders acquiring All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams last offseason, Carr accounted for his least productive statistical campaign since his rookie year with the Silver and Black.

Carr’s 60.8 completion percentage was his lowest since 2014 when he connected on only 58.1 percent of his 599 pass attempts as a first-year professional.

Before being benched after a Week 16 loss, Carr totaled 3,522 yards through the air and was intercepted 14 times in 15 games. He registered his lowest yards per pass average (7.0) since 2017.

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Meanwhile, Jets quarterbacks combined for 14 touchdown passes, 14 interceptions and a 56.98 completion percentage during the 2022 season. New York’s 6.45 yards per pass attempt ranked 27th out of 32 teams.

“We’re going to be exploring the veteran quarterback market and look at every available option,” said Jets general manager Joe Douglas during a press conference at the NFL Combine.

Now, the Jets’ quest continues with one fewer option available, likely leading to an increase in the Aaron Rodgers speculation.

Depending upon how the situation with Rodgers plays out, the Jets may have to wait until the free agency period (March 15) begins to find their quarterback upgrade.

Former Jets’ second-round draft pick Geno Smith, who enjoyed a career year with the Seattle Seahawks, is set to hit the free agent market.

Oft-injured veteran Jimmy Garoppolo will be available, too, and current Jets head coach Robert Saleh was the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers team that won the 2019 NFC Championship with Garoppolo as the starter.

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