Derek Carr opens up on competition with Aaron Rodgers for Jets job after leaving Raiders
When the Las Vegas Raiders released Derek Carr in February 2023, the quarterback had another competitor in Aaron Rodgers while searching for his next team. Carr opened up about them both trying to get the Jets job.
Derek Carr was picked in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Raiders and played with them for nine seasons. The California-born had his eyes on the New York Jets due to his respect for coach Robert Saleh. However, Saleh’s former pupil was also looking for a new job after being with the Green Bay Packers for 18 years.
On Monday, Derek Carr highlighted on the ‘Pardon My Take’ podcast that he knew that the Jets were pursuing A-Rod while talking to him. However, Carr’s situation was better than Rodgers’.
“The thing which was different in that situation, Aaron's a nine-billion-time MVP right and all that kind of stuff, but you still have to trade for him, whereas I'm free. You can still keep those picks,” Carr said.
“I'm not. I was not asking for as much money as whatever your market whatever they say your market is like. I was like, ‘I don't want to do that 'cause I want wherever I go, man, I just want to win and so use the money I don't care.’”
During his talks with the Jets, the four-time Pro Bowler also pointed out that the Rodgers’ deal was not 100% secure:
“So, that was hard. But I mean, it was ... it was a weird situation; but at the same time, trading for Aaron wasn't a guarantee for them.”
Derek Carr eventually joined the New Orleans Saints while Rodgers joined the Jets. Carr said in the end, everything “worked out” for all the parties.
Derek Carr has the burden of expectations on him
After signing a massive $150 million deal with the Saints last year, Derek Carr could not take the team to the playoffs. One Saints analyst blamed Carr’s slow start for the team's unsuccessful season.
Fans and pundits expect Carr to hit the ground running in his second year from the first game. The Saints will start their season against the Carolina Panthers on September 8.