From NFL Now: Former #Raiders QB Derek Carr is set for a free agent visit with the #Jets, and he may take an additional visit, too. Plus, the #Saints are still in it. pic.twitter.com/024HifUMQs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 17, 2023
Derek Carr’s free agent sweepstakes are in full swing, with the former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback visiting the New York Jets this weekend. Carr and his wife previously made a two-day excursion to meet with the New Orleans Saints when he was still under contract with Las Vegas, but this is first opportunity to see how other teams value him now that he’s free to sign anywhere.
That doesn’t rule out the Saints from eventually getting him. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport pointed out that while Carr isn’t in a great rush to sign with a new team, he does want to get ahead of the other free agent quarterbacks who aren’t allowed to shop their services around until the legal tampering window opens on March 13.
“He has visited the New Orleans Saints, sounds like that went very well. They are very much in the mix here,” Rapoport said. “The Jets make sense too though it is obvious Aaron Rodgers would be their top choice if they had their drudgers of free agent quarterbacks.”
It benefits Carr to begin making these visits to interested teams around the league so he can see what’s out there; are the Saints the only team willing to pay what he’s seeking, or do they have a number more in line with what the market is offering? He’s being smart to consider all of his options before putting pen to paper.
Rapoport adds that Carr could make another visit, though it’s unclear which other teams may enter the chase. Our Ross Jackson put together a thorough evaluation of the teams that could be taking a look at Carr, and what they have to offer the free agent quarterback. The Saints can get creative and fit Carr’s contract under the salary cap, but they won’t win a bidding war if teams with more cap space get involved.