Derek Carr ‘will visit the New Orleans Saints as February 15 deadline looms’
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Derek Carr ‘will visit the New Orleans Saints tomorrow’ with a February 15 deadline and his departure from the Las Vegas Raiders looms ever closer… but ‘no trade imminent’ with a $40 million guarantee in the offing
Four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Carr will visit the New Orleans Saints on Wednesday, according to reports.
The Raiders have granted Carr permission to visit while he conducts proper due diligence on his potential future team, according to NFL Network Ian Rapport.
Previously, the Raiders didn’t allow Carr or his agent to talk to other teams, but that stance softened after Carr announced he didn’t plan to extend the Feb. 15 deadline.
“I don’t think that’s the best thing for me,” said Carr, who also has a no-trade clause in his contract.
If the Raiders don’t secure a trade or release by that deadline, Carr’s $32.9 million base salary for next season and $7.5 million of his 2024 salary will be fully guaranteed.
Derek Carr will visit the New Orleans Saints this week while “doing due diligence”
The Pro Bowl QB is scheduled to be traded or released by the Los Vegas Raiders before February 15.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo noted that while Carr has been allowed to visit the Saints, the Raiders have not given 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 for the year after suffering a broken back.
Veteran Andy Dalton was solid in Winston’s place, but averaged just 205.1 passing yards per game.
Carr, who passed for 3,522 yards, 24 touchdowns and 14 interceptions before being benched for the final two games of the 2022 season, would provide a considerable upgrade at the position.
It’s hard to see the Saints or any other team giving up a sizable trade package for Carr, as the Raiders will have no choice but to release him if they can’t find a trade partner Carr approves of.
However, New Orleans is using this visit to move them to the top of the roster, whether Carr moves via trade or free agency.
There is also a familiar face in New Orleans who may increase Carr’s comfort with the team in head coach Dennis Allen.
Allen was the Raiders’ head coach from 2012 to 2014, managing 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 the first four starts of his career as an NFL quarterback in 2014.