Derek Carr ‘will visit the New Orleans Saints tomorrow’ as the February 15 deadline and his departure from the Las Vegas Raiders looms… but ‘no trade is imminent’ with $40m guaranteed looming
Four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Carr is scheduled to visit the New Orleans Saints on Wednesday, according to reports.
The Raiders granted Carr permission to visit while he does due diligence on his potential future team, according to NFL Network Ian Rapoport.
The Raiders previously did not allow Carr or his agent to talk to other teams but that stance softened after Carr announced he had no plans to extend the Feb. 15 deadline.
‘I don’t think it’s the best for me,’ said Carr, who also has a no-trade clause in his contract.
If the Raiders can’t secure a trade or release by that deadline Carr’s $32.9million base salary for next season and $7.5m of his 2024 salary will be fully guaranteed.
Derek Carr set to visit New Orleans Saints this week while ‘conducting due diligence’
The Pro Bowl QB is set to be traded or released by the Las Vegas Raiders on February 15
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo noted that although Carr was allowed to visit the Saints, the Raiders did not give him permission to discuss a trade with other teams.
The Saints are one of many teams in the market for a new quarterback this season after Jameis Winston played just three games before sitting out the year after suffering fractures in his back.
Veteran Andy Dalton performed solidly in Winston’s place but he averaged just 205.1 passing yards per game.
Carr, who threw for 3,522 yards, 24 touchdowns and 14 interceptions before being benched for the final two games of the 2022 season will provide a major upgrade at the position.
It’s hard to see the Saints or any team offering a large trade package for Carr because the Raiders have no choice but to release him if they can’t find a trade partner Carr approves of.
New Orleans is using this visit however to shoot them to the front of the roster whether Carr moves via trade or free agency.
There’s also a familiar face in New Orleans that could increase Carr’s comfort with the team in head coach Dennis Allen.
Allen was the Raiders’ head coach from 2012 to 2014, and he coached Carr through his first four NFL games in 2014 before being fired after an 0-4 start to the season.
Saints coach Dennis Allen gave Carr his first four career starts as an NFL quarterback in 2014
