The New York Jets badly need a quality quarterback in order to improve on a disappointing finish to the 2022 season.
They got off to a 7-4 start, which had the Tri-State Area buzzing over a possible playoff appearance, but they ended the year with a six-game losing streak and missed the postseason.
The Jets are reportedly willing to spend big to land a good quarterback, and the signal-caller most linked to them is Derek Carr.
Former NFL coach Eric Mangini is optimistic that should the Jets acquire Carr, they will make the playoffs next season.
Raiders Denfensive Ranks Since 2014 (Carr’s career):
PPG: Last
YPG: 29th
Yds/Play: 30th
Pass TD: 31st
Sacks: Last— Coach Eric Mangini on if Derek Carr would help make the Jets a playoff team: pic.twitter.com/bLb5b3PYPn
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) February 21, 2023
Although Carr made the Pro Bowl three times in nine seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, he has been criticized for getting them to the playoffs only once.
That lone postseason appearance came in 2021 when the Raiders clinched a wild-card spot by the skin of their teeth with a narrow Week 18 win in overtime over the Los Angeles Chargers, but once there, they lost to the Cincinnati Bengals.
But at the same time, the Raiders have been fairly lousy on defense over the years, which is something Mangini pointed out.
On the other hand, the Jets were fourth in points and total yards allowed this year, and they possess some studs on that side of the football, including Defensive Rookie of the Year Sauce Gardner.
That would give Carr the type of support he had never enjoyed with the Raiders.
In addition, New York had Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson, a wide receiver who put up 1,103 yards this season.
Carr had a down year in 2022, but perhaps a change in scenery will be what he needs to return to his old form.
