Derek Carr Informs Raiders He Won't Accept a Trade to Saints

Derek Carr will become a free agent, which may complicate things for the Saints.

Author:
John Hendrix
Updated:
Feb 12, 2023 4:45 PM EST
Original:
Feb 12, 2023

In this story:

Derek Carr will become a free agent. According to a Sunday afternoon report by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Carr informed the Raiders that he won't be accepting a trade to the Saints or any other team, and is expected to be released. He had the power in the process due to his no-trade clause.

Carr and his wife were hosted by the Saints for a two-day visit recently, and both clubs reportedly had the framework of a trade in the works prior to the visit. However, the $40.4 million in guarantees was an issue. With Carr hitting the open market, he could have other suitors. This also means if he does eventually end up with the Saints, they didn't have to give up any draft compensation.

It's worth pointing out that Dennis Allen believed heavily in Carr as a rookie, so much so that he named him the starter for the Raiders back in 2014. The week the Raiders played in New Orleans against the Saints, Carr was asked about his relationship with Allen. He had nothing but glowing things to say about Allen.

The NFC South is ripe for the taking, and New Orleans would seemingly jump up a few notches with a stellar quarterback option. Aside quarterback, the team has a ton of work to do with some other glaring holes at other positions, but the hope would be that the defense continues to be a force while the offense would have the potential to be better.

Down the stretch last season, the New Orleans defense allowed 20 points or less in 8 games. They won half of those contests. They desperately need to figure out their quarterback situation sooner rather than later.