The New York Jets are set to meet with former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr this weekend, suggesting they may have refocused their attention away from Aaron Rodgers.
According to NFL reporter Bob McGinn, the Green Bay Packers are 'all but ready to move on' from Rodgers and commit to back-up Jordan Love as their starting quarterback. There is plenty of interest in Rodgers from across the league, and the Jets were one of the first to throw their hat into the ring.
But they've scheduled talks with Carr this weekend, and could settle with the former Raiders star as Rodgers continues to mull over his future. Carr is a free agent, and free to agree a new deal on his own terms.
Carr has already met with the New Orleans Saints, but did so while still signed to the Raiders. Carr then confirmed that he would not be part of any trade deal away from the Raiders, and was subsequently released on February 14 before another year of his contract was triggered.
As a free agent, Carr is evaluating all potential opportunities, but the Jets will be the first team he's visited since his deal with the Raiders ended. The Jets were heavily linked with a move for Green Bay Packers star Rodgers, but if talks progress well, Carr could sign for the franchise instead.
The Jets are making a new quarterback their priority this off-season, as it was their problem area during the 2022 campaign. 23-year-old Zach Wilson remains their long-term option, but perhaps isn't quite ready for the NFL just yet.
Sign up to our End Zone newsletter for all the latest NFL news and analysis!
Mike White, Joe Flacco and Wilson regularly rotated last season, and head coach Robert Saleh has made finding a "veteran quarterback" their top priority. "The quarterback position, obviously, with all the different interviews was the No. 1 concern and rightfully so," Saleh explained at the end of the regular season. "It was simple: We're committed to finding a veteran.
"We didn't get into names. … It was talked about that we do plan on bringing in a veteran quarterback if we can. We do want to continue working with Zach and continue to develop him."
Following Saleh's admission, and the ongoing doubt over Rodgers' future, the Packers star has seen himself heavily linked with the franchise. But Rodgers is still unsure about what he wants ahead of next season, although it appears that the Packers are ready to decide for him.
Carr may not commit to an immediate decision though, as it's likely he will receive more offers this off-season. It's the first time since being drafted in 2014 that he's been a free agent, after spending his entire NFL career with the Raiders.
The 31-year-old may not have the portfolio that Rodgers does, but he's experienced enough to be considered in the 'veteran' category that Saleh is looking for. He was the Raiders franchise quarterback for nine seasons, but only made an appearance one in the postseason.
