NFL Rumors: Insider claims Saints are 'ready' to sign QB Derek Carr
Derek Carr is looking for a new home after the Las Vegas Raiders cut him last month. The four-time Pro Bowler could find himself in the NFC South with the New Orleans Saints. According to ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, the Saints are ready to sign the quarterback.
Fowler said on The Official Jets Podcast:
"Saints, it's my understanding that they want to get something done with Derek Carr. Like, that they're ready to do that."
Fowler added:
"I get the sense that, you know, he's just sort of waiting it out patiently so that, that second team can get heavily involved along with the Saints and then you have more leverage."
Carr first visited the team back on Feb. 8, meeting with head coach Dennis Allen and offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael. During the visit, the 31-year-old was still with the Raiders as he was given permission to speak to New Orleans in case of a possible trade.
His second visit to the Saints was recently at the NFL Combine, and team general manager Mickey Loomis commented on the visit.
Loomis said:
"We had a good visit. He's going through his process and we're going through our process. We'll see what happens."
The quarterback started 15 games for the Raiders last season but was later benched by head coach Josh McDaniels in favor of Jared Stidham. The former Fresno State Bulldogs star played the first nine seasons of his career with the Raiders.
In the 2016 season, the signal-caller finished third in MVP voting after throwing for 3,937 yards, 28 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Two seasons later, Derek Carr had his first 4,000-yard season, throwing for 4,049 yards. Now, the question is what other teams are in the market for Derek Carr this offseason?
What other teams are the Saints competing with to land Derek Carr?
Besides the Saints, the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers are in the sweepstakes to land the former Raiders star. Carr has met with both the Jets and Panthers. Yet, the Saints look to be the team to beat as there's uncertainty under center.
New Orleans started last season with Jameis Winston at quarterback before Andy Dalton took over in Week 4.
It seems that the Saints want Carr for the long term to solve their long-standing issue at quarterback. We will see if Loomis can lock up Carr ahead of the Jets and Panthers.
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