2023 NFL Free Agency: Panthers HC Frank Reich reveals details of meeting with Derek Carr
The Carolina Panthers had a visit with free agent quarterback Derek Carr. According to newly-hired head coach Frank Reich, the meeting went pretty well.
Reich raved about Carr and said he would be excited about playing with him if the two parties decided to pursue this option.
Reich revealed this to ProFootballTalk:
"We do like the option of Derek Carr, who we talked to last night. I mean, we're you know, I'm excited about that option. But we are looking at everything. He's a competitor. He wants to be in a perfect world, which we know it's not, he'd love to get in and get going somewhere."
Reich continued:
"That's what I would guess. But he's also very mature and understands it doesn't always play out like that. So I think he's going to be prudent. I would guess he'd be prudent in making the best decision for himself."
Clearly, the Panthers like Carr. Whether or not this is a pairing that would work or if it's something either party feels is in their best interest remains to be seen, but Reich is a fan of Carr either way.
The Carolina Panthers need to stay far away from Derek Carr
Derek Carr should not get a contract offer from the Carolina Panthers in any way shape or form. There is no reason why they should continue throwing assets and money into the quarterback position when they can draft one.
They started this unfortunate trend in 2019. They released Cam Newton and signed Teddy Bridgewater. They traded him and traded for Sam Darnold. They then traded for Baker Mayfield and none of it worked.
If the front office, and that includes the new hire in Reich, can't see that that strategy doesn't work and hasn't worked, then they will continue to run the Panthers poorly.
They have a golden opportunity to get a quarterback in this draft, including the option to trade up to the number one pick and get whoever they want. The fact that they're possibly considering signing Derek Carr instead of doing that is baffling.
Carr is a veteran and he's not a bad player, but he's going to cost. He's also not going to be a long-term situation. If they sign Carr, they'll be mediocre to decent for a couple of seasons and be back at this crossroads again.
If they don't want to draft someone this year, then they need to sign a bad bridge quarterback and get one with a high pick next year. Carr is not that and should stay far away from Carolina.