Days ago, the Las Vegas Raiders released quarterback Derek Carr, making him a free agent.
It was somewhat expected, as head coach Josh McDaniels benched him late in the season, making it clear that the team was headed in a different direction.
There have been a couple of teams that have shown interest in Carr, and one team is considered the favorite to land him.
That team is no surprise – the New York Jets, who have reportedly been talking to Carr in recent days.
Jets are the favorite to land Derek Carr ✈️ pic.twitter.com/LDPNY78sEH
— PFF Bet (@PFF_Bet) February 21, 2023
Carr had a dismal year in 2022, as the four-time Pro Bowler completed just 60.8 percent of his passes and threw for 3,522 yards and 24 touchdowns despite the presence of arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL in Davante Adams.
The Raiders, who were expected by many to have a shot at reaching the Super Bowl, struggled all season, winning just six games as they blew several big leads.
Still, for the Jets, Carr would represent a major upgrade.
They went with four different starting QBs this season, including second-year man Zach Wilson, who was once thought to be their signal-caller of the future, and Joe Flacco, who turned 38 years of age in January.
New York was one of the NFL’s best defensive teams, as they possess multiple Pro Bowlers and All-Pro first-teamers on that side of the football, and they also have wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who was just named Offensive Rookie of the Year.
If the team just finds a viable quarterback, perhaps they will end a long playoff drought in 2023.
