Derek Carr, a former quarterback for Fresno State and the Oakland Raiders, has agreed to a four-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, a person with knowledge of the matter said on Monday.
Since the agreement with the seasoned free-agent QB had not been made public, the person talked to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.
Carr spent nine seasons with the Raiders, during which time he set club records for throwing yards (35,222) and touchdowns (217). Yet he was never a playoff champion. And with two games left in the previous campaign, Carr was benched after underperforming.
Carr, who will turn 32 on March 28, was let go by Las Vegas on February 14 after refusing to waive his contract’s no-trade clause. By that time, Las Vegas had to either trade him or release him, or the remaining $40.4 million of his two-year deal would have become fully guaranteed.
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When the Raiders selected Carr out of Fresno State in the second round of the 2014 draught, Dennis Allen, the Saints’ coach, was the Raiders’ head coach. Before being let go that year, Allen only had Carr’s team for four games.
The move gives the Saints some assurance at a crucial position that was clouded in uncertainty for the team after its 7-10 2022 campaign.
Jameis Winston has a deal with the Saints through 2023, but New Orleans has the option of cutting him loose. He was only able to play in three games in 2022 before losing his job to Andy Dalton, in part due to a back ailment, and his contract calls for a basic salary of $12.8 million for the following season.
Derek Carr
Winston, who was injured in Week 1, attempted to play in Weeks 2 and 3, but he threw five interceptions, was sacked seven times, and only completed passes for two touchdowns.
The Saints persisted with Dalton after Winston said he was fit to play again and desired another opportunity. In 14 starts, Dalton completed 66.7% of his throws for 2,871 yards with 18 touchdown passes and nine interceptions.
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