Colts Linked as Landing Spot for Free-Agent QB Derek Carr

The Las Vegas Raiders made sports headlines by releasing their long-time franchise quarterback Derek Carr. This relieved the Raiders of having to pay him over $40 million of guaranteed money they owed the four-time Pro Bowler.

With Carr now on the free-agent market, several teams could use Carr’s services right away. Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano lists Indianapolis Colts as one of the top likely landing spots for the veteran QB.

Manzano has the Colts as the second-best destination for Carr, behind only the New York Jets.

2) Indianapolis Colts

Why Carr fits: If the Colts weren’t coming off a four-win season, this roster would rank among the best in the NFL. Running back Jonathan Taylor and wide receiver Michael Pittman had quiet 2022 seasons, but their talent didn’t just disappear. Carr could have a balanced attack with those two top playmakers and would be protected by Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson. New coach Shane Steichen will be tasked with putting this talented offensive roster back on track, and his coaching résumé will be appealing for quarterbacks in need of a fresh start. Steichen worked with Philip Rivers for a handful of years with the Chargers and was instrumental in the development of then-rookie Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts the past two years in Philadelphia.

Carr will need a new contract with whoever gets him. For a quarterback who hasn’t been to a Super Bowl and has a chance to play with an offensive mind like Steichen, it could be a good pairing of a veteran and an innovative play caller. Again, the Colts aren’t as far off offensively as the 2022 disaster of a season may have made many think they are.

Currently, the Colts boast young studs in running back Jonathan Taylor, wide receivers Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman, and a potential superstar in the making with sophomore tight end Jelani Woods. Carr would operate as a great transition for a more 'raw' prospect like Anthony Richardson or Will Levis, both of whom may need to sit a year.

Also, thinking of Steichen being in his first year as a head coach, he may want to help groom the future signal-caller by having them sit behind an efficient QB like Carr. This all could help with the development of Indianapolis' next franchise quarterback.

While this scenario seems unlikely right now, it’s hard to say which team will want Carr the most and what kind of a contract he could command. Would the Colts want something similar to a two-year, $40-50M contract like Matt Ryan? Perhaps.

But the money wouldn’t be the highlight if the Indianapolis front office went this way. The thing to talk about would be a Colts offense that gets a quarterback who can still play at a high level, as Carr showed time and time again through a rocky, at best, tenure with the Raiders. With him facing a change of scenery for the first time in nine seasons, let’s take a look at his career work.

Through his years with the Raiders, Carr has compiled an impressive stat line. He’s played 142 games and has gone 3,201-of-4,958 for 35,222 yards and 217 touchdowns with only 99 interceptions. He hasn’t had the win-loss record he’d likely want, sitting at a career mark of 63-79.

The record should be paired with context, as Carr has never had a defense that has the talent Indianapolis currently holds. Would this, paired with a strong rushing attack and young receiving targets, help Carr shock the NFL world and get the Colts into playoff contention? It’s too early to tell.

For now, Carr sits as one of the most prized free agents on the market, if not the top one. With a long offseason ahead for the already-changing Colts, will new coach Steichen want a veteran to hit the ground running? Will GM Chris Ballard see it as a good fit to have an established leader like Carr around to help a young and bright quarterback?

So many questions and we’re only at the beginning of the Carr negotiation saga. Indianapolis has some things to consider now that he’s on the open market.

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