Derek Carr has made it clear that he intends for his free agent process to be a lengthy one. For at least one of the teams he has met with, though, a quick ending would be preferred.
During an appearance on the Official Jets Podcast, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted that the Saints are “ready” to sign Carr. He added that they “want to get something done” with Carr, illustrating how well the two meetings which have taken place between the parties have gone. New Orleans has long been connected to the 31-year-old, who is the top quarterback on the market at this time. 
When a trade was thought to be a possibility, the Saints were reportedly in agreement with the Raiders on compensation after Carr’s first visit to New Orleans. The four-time Pro Bowler forced Vegas to release him, though, not as a sign of disinterest in the Saints but rather a means of allowing himself to hit the open market and leverage the best possible contract for the next chapter of his career. That move opened up the number of suitors interested in at least a short-term QB upgrade.
New Orleans faced a difficult cap situation last offseason, but general manager Mickey Loomis carved out enough space to make the team a serious contender for Deshaun Watson. After the latter was ultimately traded to the Browns, though, the Saints elected to use a pairing of Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton under center in 2023. Their collective performance left plenty to be desired, and it would come as no surprise if Carr or a similar veteran were brought in to solidify the position.
New Orleans has begun this year’s cap gymnastics, but they still have a long way to go. The Saints are currently more than $30MM over the cap, and not much is certain for them under center. Dalton is a pending free agent, and one year remains on Winston’s contract. Releasing the former first overall pick would yield $4.4MM in savings, a relatively modest amount but one which would nevertheless move the team closer to being able to afford the $35MM AAV Carr is believed to be seeking.
The Saints and Jets met with Carr not only last month, but during this week’s combine as well. Loomis and head coach Dennis Allen spoke positively about their sit-down, and their support of the potential of a deal taking shape. The Panthers, another team which could be a significant player in this year’s quarterback market, is also set to meet with Carr, though. Not surprisingly, Fowler adds that the former second-rounder is likely to remain patient in the name of setting up a bidding war for his services, especially if Aaron Rodgers and/or Lamar Jackson don’t end up becoming available.
Rodgers has routinely been connected to the Jets this offseason, and mutual interest exists between the AFC East outfit and Carr. They figure to face stiff competition from New Orleans in the Carr sweepstakes, though, as the QB landscape slowly starts to take shape.
Winston’s been such a waste of talent. Saints can take the South by signing Carr. They also need to figure out Kamaras LT replacement.
The Saints aren’t winning the South if Vince Lombardi came back and coached. OMG
The South is completely wide open and the Saints have a pretty good defense. If their offense wasn’t so inept last year, they would have won the South.
Brady retired, Panthers and Falcons are nothing special. A competent QB can win the division with 8 games again.
a competent QB can win the division for any of those 4 teams in all reality.
Who is? All 4 are devoid of overall talent. It’s anybody’s division to win. I think you can easily make a case for NO.
Saints “Ready” To Remain In Mediocrity, While Rivals Seek Real Franchise QB’s
Bucs are expected to stick with Trask, Falcons would terrible with Lamar with no pieces to surround him with and limited draft picks from trading for him, and it sounds like Carolina is interested in Carr, too, otherwise they’ll likely end up with a first round bust. If anything, NO might be smart playing the safe route.
Carr would be a great addition, but their identity still needs more work. (and being way over the cap doesn’t help that process)
Why does everyone think Carr will be a savior? He had the leagues leading rusher, a true #1 receiver and wound up being released by the raiders. Please tell me what I am missing? A good man but average to below average QB,
.
Probably because he hasn’t played with Taysom Hill yet.
Because his coach is Josh McDaniels and that raiders defense has been hot garbage for a decade?
He constantly plays from behind because his defense has been bottom 10 pretty much his entire career.
Mark my words. He comes to the Jets, the jets are going to the Superbowl period. The Jets have a great defense and a offense line that needs to be tweaked and a half-way decent QB and jets are set.
From your keyboard to God’s ears
Carr’s terrible. People who say otherwise weren’t watching his games with the Raiders last season. He’s nobody’s savior. I like the Saints, so I hope Carr goes to the Jets or Ravens.
Sounds to me like you don’t know how to contextualize performance.
Saints are over the cap and will have to find way to compete and afford talent
Michael Thomas seems to always have one foot out the door, plus Kamara might get suspended. Lot going on in Nola.
It’ll never happen but, the Saints should bite the bullet and fix their horrendous cap problems this year.
They just keep kicking the can down the road and have made it near impossible to build a team that can vie for a championship.
I was saying the exact same thing to a friend yesterday. They keep kicking the can, as you said, and it seems that they start each off season further and further over the cap. What do they do when they’re $100MM plus over the cap? There’s only so many contracts you can renegotiate. They’re not just a QB away from getting a chip (and especially not a “good but not great” QB); I’m completely with you. Punt one season and start over.
Can’t believe this mediocre qb is getting the red carpet sweepstakes treatment. Whatever team signs him must be happy with 7-9 win season
So New Orleans is “ready” to sign him, yet they’re still $30m over the cap, so in other words they’re NOT ready to sign him at the moment…
I’m ready to date Jennifer Lawrence. Alert the media.
What you missed is the raiders didn’t do anything under Josh McDaniels he is not head coach material he will never succed as a head coach in the league anyone that had a good qb could look good as a coordinator but as head coach it’s different the saints can get any QB they want under the current coaching staff and they will still lose for kamara he needs to be discipline with his friends that took 4 to jump on 1 Micheal Thomas should’ve been let go a long time ago to save that money he has been paid for 3 years no play time we need a Joe flacco qb
Look, I’m not saying Derek Carr is the savior.
What I do know is that he’s competent and he wants to be a Jet. Jets offered Kirk $90+ mil fully guaranteed but he took less from the Vikings because he wanted the better team. Carr is better than Kirk. I’m hoping the Jets make Carr a good offer. We deserve a respectable QB who can get us to the playoffs!
As a Saints fan. Please let Carr sign somewhere else. They’re not going to win a title with him. So, why waste time? Draft Hooker and get your cap situation under control. Roll with Winston this year while Hooker heals up and gets acclimated to the playbook.
Carr wants to win. New Orleans needs to rebuild. Build around Olave. Let Kamara serve his suspension this year. Hooker is a good plan