Derek Carr treating NFL Combine like job fair, insider reports
The NFL Combine is mostly a job fair for players in their 20s, but Derek Carr is repurposing the event to suit his needs.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport via Sports Illustrated, the former Raiders quarterback will be meeting with three teams this week and could meet with more.
Carr will be meeting with the New York Jets and the New Orleans Saints for what appears to be a second time and will be introducing himself to the Carolina Panthers for the first time as a free agent as well. It is unknown which other teams he could meet with, but with the entire NFL essentially in one place this week, any option is technically on the table.
Which team will sign Derek Carr?
Instead of getting on a plane to potentially cross the country for a meeting, he could simply take an Uber to get anywhere in the city in under 40 minutes. Meaning, it will be much easier to be available to a wider range of teams.
Derek Carr will meet in person with the Saints, Jets, and Panthers at the NFL Combine.
New York will have GM Joe Douglas on the ground in Indy for the meeting.
After March 6th, however, teams will have returned home and Carr will be relegated to planes to meet with teams. With only about ten days between the end of the Combine and the start of free agency, it's a critical time for the QB.
From @NFLTotalAccess: QB Derek Carr is headed to Indianapolis to meet with several teams, as his free agency comes into focus. It’s about finding the right fit. https://t.co/mTN7zLZ2Ih
Derek Carr hopes to rebound after disappointing 2022 season
At face value, Derek Carr's performance during 2022 was the same as any other season. He threw for more than 20 touchdowns and kept the interceptions below 15. However, his record took a sharp decline and his completion percentage also slipped.
In 2021, he went 10-7 and completed 68.4 per cent of his passes. In 2022, he went 6-9 and completed 60.8 per cent of his throws. Fans believe explaining the dropoff will be his biggest obstacle to getting signed.
However, most pundits and fans are ranking the quarterback as one of the top three free agents for 2023. Will teams agree with the assessment?