NFL veteran quarterback Derek Carr has signed a new contract with the New Orleans Saints. Carr, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, spent the entirety of his career with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The top free agency QB off the board. Derek Carr to New Orleans — their top choice. https://t.co/2q5vXtFsOz
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 6, 2023
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints, Agree to Contract
Derek Carr entered his first season under head coach Josh McDaniels as the primary quarterback. However, the quarterback and coach struggled to put together wins, as the team went 6-9 through the first 15 games of the season. Once the Raiders were officially out of the playoff picture, McDaniels turned the keys over to backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham. This move effectively ended the Derek Carr Era in Las Vegas, and the team tried to shop him prior to the Super Bowl. However, due to the heavy guarantees and no-trade clause in his contract, the Raiders couldn’t find any takers for Derek Carr. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Carr wouldn’t accept a trade on Super Bowl Sunday, making his release inevitable. Overall, the quarterback finished his final season with the Raiders by completing 60.8% of his passes for 3,522 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.
Carr originally entered the league as a second-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Selected by the then-Oakland Raiders, the Fresno State product impressed throughout training camp and earned the Week 1 starting job. During his rookie season, Carr finished the year by completing 58.1% of his passes for 3,270 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while the team went 3-13. Carr built on that promising rookie season and took the next step in 2015. Once again starting all 16 games, the quarterback completed 61.1% of his passes for 3,987 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions while earning the first Pro Bowl selection of his career.
Carr’s best season came in 2016. Starting and appearing in 15 games, the quarterback generated some serious MVP buzz by completing 63.8% of his passes for 3,937 yards, 28 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Unfortunately, the quarterback suffered a season-ending injury and missed the postseason push.
Since signing his rookie contract, Derek Carr has completed 64.6% of his passes for 35,222 yards, 217 touchdowns, and 99 interceptions.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports