Ex-Raiders quarterback Derek Carr ended his free agency by signing a lucrative deal with the New Orleans Saints worth $150 million over four years, including a whopping $60 million guaranteed money, making him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the history of the NFL.
The news was first reported by sources close to the team, who revealed that the Saints were looking forward to solidifying their quarterback, and they believe that Carr can bring a new level of competitiveness to their offense. Moreover, it is worth mentioning that the Saints chose Carr over veteran quarterbacks Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston as they were very much impressed with his strong arm, leadership quality, and on-spot sporting sense.
Why was Derek Carr benched?
Derek Carr has solidified his position as one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the history of the NFL, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in each of the past three seasons. Carr enjoyed his best season with the Raiders in 2021, throwing a career-high 4,804 yards, which impressed the team to the extent that they extended their contract with him for another 3 years worth $121.5 million.
However, luck did not favor Carr in 2022, as he could only manage to complete 3,522 passing yards, 14 interceptions, and 60.8 percent of passes, leading the head coach to appoint Jarrett Stidham as the replacement for him in the last two games.
Who signed Carr?
Carr, who has spent nine years of his career with the Raiders, was widely acclaimed to be one of the most sought-after quarterbacks in the league this offseason, with a reputation for his accuracy and leadership skills on the field. Rumors had been swirling for weeks about where he might end up landing, with several teams reportedly vying for his services, including the Saints, New York Jets, and Carolina Panthers. Ultimately, it was the Saints who won the bidding war for Carr’s signature.
Furthermore, Derek expressed his excitement at joining the Saints and playing alongside some of the best players in the league, including Michael Thomas, Tre’Quan Smith, and veteran running back Alvin Kamara. However, the veteran quarterback did not forget to thank his previous team, the Raiders, and their fans for their support over the years and promised to give his all to his new team in the coming years.
Fans and analysts expressed a mixed response to Derek Carr’s transfer news, with some praising the Saints for their bold move while others have questioned the size of the contract.
What is your take on Carr’s “BIG move”? You share with us in the comments.
