The first veteran quarterback has found his spot in the annual offseason game of musical chairs. Former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is apparently signing a four-year deal with the Saints.
Derek Carr closing in on four-year deal with Saints, per @RapSheet https://t.co/p8I9tbNJar pic.twitter.com/at3W5GSiyb
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) March 6, 2023
Financial terms of Carr’s new deal have not leaked out as of yet. That said, the length of his contract could mean that New Orleans is probably out on this year’s class of QBs.
With Andy Dalton becoming a free agent, for now Jameis Winston will be Carr’s primary backup. However, his contract might make him a post June 1 salary cap casualty.
Carr later confirmed the news with a Who Dat tweet.
Who dat ⚜️ pic.twitter.com/DIY8gBGuGu
— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) March 6, 2023
As for the Raiders, their next move is likely trying to swing a trade for Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has a tremendous rapport with their WR1 Davante Adams but had to suffer through Green Bay’s passing offense dropping off dramatically without him this past season.
Update:
Well, this is certainly a number. The Saints are giving Carr $100 million guaranteed and $150 million total.
The #Saints & Derek Carr agreed on a 4-yr deal for $150M with $100M in total guarantees, per me & @MikeGarafolo. He gets $70M effectively fully guaranteed ($60M at signing, another $10M in Year 3 vesting after Year 1). Carr structures his deal to accommodate Saints’ cap issues. pic.twitter.com/vs6qaBh7rg
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 6, 2023
The guaranteed figure is what really matters, but this is pretty close to what Geno Smith stands to make annually.