This offseason, the Raiders will make a franchise-changing quarterback change. Derek Carr, the team’s nine-year starter, was benched for the final two weeks, setting up a new quarterback in 2023.
Five Possible Trade Partners for Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders
You can read also: The Schedule for the NFL Wild Card Games in 2023
Before Carr joined the team, the Raiders’ previous quarterbacks took turns playing musical chairs. Throughout the decade following Rich Gannon’s retirement in 2004, the Raiders used 15 different starting quarterbacks.
In that time frame, names like JaMarcus Russell, Carson Palmer, and Terrelle Pryor come to mind. The 2014 NFL Draft’s second round put an end to that plight.
The Raiders took Derek Carr of Fresno State with the 36th overall pick. Carr missed only four games from 2014 to 2022, and two of those were the season finales in 2022. The Silver and Black’s veteran quarterback holds numerous passing records.
Carr’s career passing yardage is more than 16,000 yards higher than that of any other Raider (Ken Stabler). The next closest quarterback is 67 touchdowns behind his 217 touchdown passes (also Ken Stabler). Whether it’s necessary or not, the franchise will undergo a significant shift once Carr is no longer an integral part of the team.
Considering a Trade for Derek Carr? Here are 5 Possible Destinations for the Las Vegas Raiders’ Star Quarterback
The Raiders have a peculiar contract setup with Derek Carr. They won’t have to pay more than $6.1 million in dead cap in 2023 if they decide to cut or trade their quarterback.
But if Carr is still on the team three days after the Super Bowl, his entire $32.9 million salary for 2023 becomes guaranteed.
This makes it difficult for the Raiders to make a deal in that time frame. Given that Las Vegas has such a small window to complete a trade, it allows teams with an interest to swoop in and pick up Carr for next to nothing. In addition, any trade must have Carr’s blessing because of a no-trade clause in his contract.
With this in mind, it’s hard to imagine the Raiders trading Derek Carr for a high draft pick. The current circumstances make even a second-round selection questionable.
Which group do you think would be smarter in trade talks?
- Indianapolis Colts, Stop No. 5
With as many unanswered questions as any NFL team, the Indianapolis Colts enter the 2023 offseason with regard to their starting quarterback.
Since Andrew Luck’s retirement, the team has gone through a number of quarterbacks, each of whom failed to live up to expectations.
The best that Carr can do has consistently been good enough to help a team win. The Raiders won ten games last season despite the fact that virtually everything else went wrong for them.
As of right now, the Colts have a more well-rounded roster than the Raiders, making it easier to fully utilize Carr’s abilities there.
- Washington’s Commanders, Stop No. 4
Even at quarterback, the Washington Commanders have had trouble lately. Since Kirk Cousins’ departure to the Vikings, the team has looked high and low for a replacement quarterback to start games.
Less than a year after acquiring Carson Wentz in a trade during the offseason before last, Washington still hasn’t figured out how to win.
Rookie Sam Howell, taken in the fifth round, showed heart and elite deep ball accuracy in Week 18’s matchup with Dallas. It’s possible that this will be enough for Ron Rivera and company to stick with Howell in 2023, but I foresee a bigger change on the horizon.
As the nation’s capital, Derek Carr would have easy access to an arsenal of weapons. To any quarterback, Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, and Brian Robinson Jr. make up a fun arsenal.
The defense has a lot of skill, so if the quarterback can step up his game, the team should be able to make the playoffs again.
SEE MORE: LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Luka Doncic back today? Injuries Lakers-Mavericks
- Tennessee Titans, Stop No. 3
The Titans of Tennessee are in a terrifyingly similar situation to the Oakland Raiders. Ryan Tannehill has been able to get the job done during his time with the team, but he has repeatedly let the team down by not performing when it mattered most.
It’s been said the same about Derek Carr, but in him I see a player who performs better in the clutch than Ryan Tannehill does. Carr’s record of fourth-quarter comebacks and game-winning drives lends credence to this assertion.
In 2022, under a new coaching staff, Carr began to emphasize the running game more. Since joining the Titans, he has been given the opportunity to do so.
In spite of the fact that wide receiver Treylon Burks is on the up-and-up, the team still needs to beef up its offensive firepower before pursuing a trade for Derek Carr. In 2023, with Carr at quarterback, the Titans would be stronger than they would be with Tannehill.
- New York Jets, Stop No. 2
As for their intentions at quarterback, the New York Jets have been cagey. Robert Saleh, the team’s head coach, maintains that Zach Wilson will compete for a starting role this offseason. I am a skeptic at best.
Down the stretch, as they fought for a playoff spot, the team started Mike White and Joe Flacco at quarterback. That alone should serve as a massive warning sign.
The 2023 Jets team is expected to be even stronger, so I doubt GM Joe Douglas will risk another year of subpar quarterback play.
Whether or not Derek Carr is a steady hand is debatable, but the veteran quarterback clearly improves New York’s offense over their current options.
As a rookie, Breece Hall was already on his way to becoming a household name, and Garrett Wilson is on the verge of becoming a superstar. It’s possible that incorporating Carr into this offense will give it the boost it needs to break through.
- Carolina Panthers, Stop No. 1
The Carolina Panthers have a more formidable roster than most people realize. The defense never lets up and plays at full speed.
Each week during the 2022 campaign, the offensive line got better. Despite losing Christian McCaffery in a trade, the team still has DJ Moore, who is among the league’s top wideouts.
Carolina is the best fit for Derek Carr for a couple of reasons. To begin with, he provides a higher starting point than any quarterback the franchise has started since Cam Newton. Plus, at 32 years old, Carr is a good enough quarterback to act as a bridge for the new coaching staff.
The front office has a ton of options in 2023 and beyond with Carr available to them. As previously mentioned, Carr will have a significant cap hit in 2020, but only $7.5 million of that will be guaranteed for 2024.
That means the Panthers can give 2023 with Carr a shot, and if it doesn’t work out, they can cut ties during the offseason.
The trade for Carr will not prevent the Panthers from selecting a quarterback with the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Taking a redshirt year as a rookie is the best option for both Will Levis and Anthony Richardson. Carolina’s future looks bright if they enter next season with Derek Carr and a promising rookie quarterback.
