Buzz connecting Tampa Bay to Four-Time Pro Bowl Quarterback
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still picking up the pieces after star quarterback Tom Brady hung up the cleats for good earlier this month. The franchise is still figuring out which direction to move forward in but there are attainable options on the trade market, free agency, and in the upcoming NFL Draft.
READ MORE: CBS Sports Projects Buccaneers to trade up for Tom Brady's replacement in 2023 NFL Draft
One player who will likely become available in the near future is Las Vegas Raiders' standout Derek Carr. The Raiders have until February 15 to trade Carr before his contract becomes fully guaranteed, which has three seasons and $121 million remaining. Barring a surprise, the franchise will probably have to release the veteran, who was benched late in the 2022 campaign.
During a recent episode of "You Pod to Win the Game", Yahoo Sports' Senior NFL Reporter, Charles Robinson, said that growing buzz from the Senior Bowl is connecting the Buccaneers and Carr. The move could potentially make sense for both parties if terms in free agency are fair.
“So, the buzz here at the Senior Bowl, I’m in Mobile, Ala. by the way, the buzz is connecting them [Bucs] with Derek Carr,” Robinson said. “Like, that’s probably the Derek Carr destination. I only believe that if the Bucs are like, ‘Let’s not reboot completely. Let’s not just nuke it right now and start all over again. Let’s see if we can maybe put this back together again.'"
Tampa Bay would have to do some serious maneuvering as the franchise currently sits well above the cap. Regardless, head coach Todd Bowles may be inclined to push for a proven veteran rather than drafting a rookie or rolling with the safe options of Kyle Trask or Blaine Gabbert. His job might very well be on the line if the Buccaneers struggle again next season.
“Look, I think if you’re Todd Bowles, you’re sitting there going, I don’t know if I survive a reboot,” Robinson said. “Any coach in that position is sitting there going I gotta keep trying to win now. I don’t want to do a roboot, because I won’t make it and that will potentially be my last head job in the NFL.”
Carr recently participated in his fourth Pro Bowl (2015, 2016, 2017, 2022) but he's coming off a down year that resulted in the Raiders moving on. He completed 305/502 passes (60.8%) for 3,522 yards with 24 touchdowns to 14 interceptions. It was a disappointing result after Las Vegas ponied up to bring in star Davante Adams.
With that being said, Carr is only one year removed from a 2021 season where he threw for a career-high 4,804 yards. He's thrown for at least 20 touchdown passes in seven of his eight seasons at the NFL level and only holds a career interception percentage of 2%.
Should the Buccaneers pursue the veteran in an attempt to stay in the playoff conversation?
Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2023 offseason.
