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The New Orleans Saints are on the verge of signing quarterback Derek Carr, according to NFL Network reporters Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport, and are signing him to a 4-year deal.
Carr, who has spent the last nine seasons with the Oakland Raiders, is a four-time Pro Bowl selection and the Raiders’ all-time leading passer.
Throughout the process, the Saints remained the favorite destination for Carr, according to Rapoport. This signing is a significant one for the Saints, as they were in dire need of a starting quarterback since the retirement of Drew Brees in 2021. With Carr on board, the Saints can now focus on other areas of their roster as they look to compete in a weak NFC South.
The #Saints are closing in on a deal with QB David Carr, sources tell me and @RapSheet. After nine seasons with the #Raiders, the four-time Pro Bowl selection is headed to New Orleans.
The first QB domino is about to fall and one NFC South team has its starter. pic.twitter.com/nuLSAhncLQ
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 6, 2023
Interestingly, Carr will be reunited with Dennis Allen, who was the head coach of the Raiders when they drafted Carr in 2014. Allen is currently the Head Coach of the Saints, and the two will work together in New Orleans.
The move also has ramifications for other teams in the NFL, specifically the New York Jets. The Jets reportedly decided to wait on signing Carr in order to pursue Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but Carr seemingly grew tired of waiting and chose to sign with the Saints instead. If the Jets fail to secure Rodgers and lose out on Carr as well, it could be a costly decision for them.
This signing is the first major move in what is expected to be a busy offseason for quarterbacks in the NFL. With many big-name quarterbacks potentially on the move, this is just the beginning of what promises to be an eventful offseason for the league.