Derek Carr Signing Could Be Good News for Tennessee Titans’ Offseason Plans
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans seem to be in the midst of an offseason of significant change. We have seen Jeffery Simmons purge his social media, Derrick Henry’s name be including in trade rumors and Ryan Tannehill’s status with the team in question. The Titans could look to trade or part ways with many surprising names, but if the Titans do want to trade Tannehill, the news of Derek Carr signing with the New Orleans Saints is good news in two ways.
Derek Carr signed a four-year deal with the New Orleans Saints on Monday worth $150 million. The deal includes $60 million guaranteed at signing and $100 million guaranteed overall. A massive payday for Carr who, while being a solid quarterback, is not considered one of the elite players at the position. If Titans’ new general manager Ran Carthon is serious about trading Tannehill, he is currently rejoicing.
First, this takes Carr away from the New York Jets, who have not been shy about their desire for a veteran quarterback. Carr had multiple meetings with the Jets and he was considered their second choice at the position. Their first choice is Aaron Rodgers, but with his playing future in doubt, that could be an option off the table for the Jets soon. Rodgers could choose to retire or stay with the Green Bay Packers and if so, the Jets will have to look harder for a passer.
The Jets could always look at a veteran on the market like a Jimmy Garoppolo, but that becomes a financial question. Would the Jets rather pay Garoppolo a salary near Carr’s contract numbers to get him off the open market or would they rather trade a few mid-round picks for Tannehill and pay him his $27 million salary? That is a tough question to answer, but if you factor in the possibility that the Jets extend Tannehill and bring his cap hit closer to $20 million, now you can see why that would be the preferred route.
Simply put, with Carr off the board, Garoppolo potentially being expensive and Rodgers in limbo, Tannehill’s value has just gone up. The Jets(or others who need a quarterback) have less options now making Tannehill a more valued trade asset.
As for the second point, as mentioned earlier, Tannehill’s price now seems more appetizing. Carr and Tannehill are very comparable quarterbacks in terms of talent and production. Would you rather have Carr at those contract numbers or Tannehill at $20-27 million a season? With the talent gap not being very wide, it is hard to argue for Carr at his number.
Whether it be price or supply, the Titans are beneficiaries of Carr going to the Saints and keeping the Jets without an answer at quarterback. The value of Tannehill at his price has risen and the desperation of the Jets has as well. If the Jets end up with Rodgers, teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or the Carolina Panthers could make sense as trade targets for Tannehill also.
Strap in, Titans fans. This offseason is only about to get crazier.
Simmons Scrubs Titans: The Tennessee Titans’ superstar defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons may be following a common path and using social media as a tool in his pursuit for a new contract. CLICK HERE
Henry on Trade Block: The Tennessee Titans could be willing to part ways with star running back Derrick Henry according to a report coming out of the 2023 NFL Combine. CLICK HERE
Four Titans Free Agents: The Tennessee Titans had four players appear on the The Ringer’s Top 100 list of pending free agents. CLICK HERE
