Derek Carr News

Carr's contract includes $100 million in total guarantees, with $70 million effectively fully guaranteed. Carr thus becomes the first big-name quarterback of the 2023 offseason to find a new home, just weeks before his 32nd birthday. It remains to be seen whether the NFL future of Michael Thomas (toe) involves any more time with New Orleans, but the likes of Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave represent solid offensive playmakers for Carr. The four-time Pro Bowler threw for 3,522 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 15 games with the Raiders last season. His passing yardage total was the third lowest mark of his nine-year NFL career.

The New Orleans Saints are signing quarterback Derek Carr to a four-year contract, per multiple reports. Carr will reunite with Saints head coach Dennis Allen, who drafted him with the No. 36 pick in 2014 as the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. He won't have Davante Adams to throw it up to anymore, but Carr will still benefit from having Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara on offense. Rashid Shaheed should get a boost with Carr, especially if the Saints decide to move on from Michael Thomas this offseason. Carr averaged 15.5 FanDuel points per game last season, finishing 20th among quarterbacks that made multiple starts. He ranked 15th in Passing Net Expected points per drop back out of the 47 quarterbacks with 100-plus attempts. However, Carr had a career-high 2.8% interception rate that was 27th out of 33 qualifiers. He also had the worst completion percentage (60.8) since his rookie season (58.1), down from 66.1% in the seven years in-between.

Carr's contract with New Orleans will reportedly be finalized as a four-year deal, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. As the Saints' new starting quarterback, Carr stands to provide a boost at least in terms of stability for fantasy standouts Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave, while his arrival essentially guarantees that the team will move on from Jameis Winston in free agency. It remains to be seen, however, whether Michael Thomas (toe) will remain in New Orleans for the 2023 campaign, or whether Kamara will face a suspension. Both outcomes will significantly impact Carr's fantasy outlook in his debut campaign with the Saints.

Carr met with three teams at the NFL Scouting Combine, but the Saints now appear to have emerged as the clear front runners to sign him as a free agent. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that an agreement between Carr and New Orleans could be made official as early as today. Carr, who turns 32 later in March, would get the benefit of two top-end offensive playmakers in Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave with the Saints, while also reuniting with head coach Dennis Allen, who held the same position with the Raiders back when the team drafted Carr in 2014.

Carr was officially released by the Raiders two weeks ago and went to the Combine in person this week to meet with interested teams. Turning 32 later this month, Carr likely will want to have a new home before the new league year opens March 15. The Panthers have had multiple conversations with him and will have another phone call with Carr on Monday following the Combine.

The New York Jets are hosting free agent quarterback Derek Carr this weekend. Carr will visit his second team this offseason after the 31-year old went to New Orleans earlier this month. Expect the Jets to consider numerous veteran options at quarterback after Zach Wilson finished 39th among his position with a poor 46.5 Pro Football Focus offensive rating. On 502 attempts last season, Carr ranked 27th among quarterbacks with a 66.6 Pro Football Focus offensive rating while producing 305 completions for 24 touchdowns and 3522 yards, a 70.8% adjusted completion rate, and 4.0% big time throw percentage.