Former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has agreed to a four-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, a person familiar with the deal said Monday.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal with the seasoned freelance quarterback was not disclosed.
Carr played nine seasons for the Raiders and holds club records for passing yards (35,222) and touchdown passes (217). But he never won a playoff game. And after struggling late last season, Carr was benched with two games left.
Carr, who turns 32 on March 28, was fired from Las Vegas on February 14 after refusing to waive the no-trade clause in his contract. Las Vegas had to trade or release him by that date or $40.4 million of his contract would be fully guaranteed for the next two years.
Saints coach Dennis Allen coached the Raiders when they selected Carr from Fresno State in the second round of the 2014 draft. Allen, Carr coached only four games before being fired that year.
The move gives the Saints some reassurance in a crucial position fraught with uncertainty for the club after the 2022 7-10 season.
Jameis Winston is under contract with the Saints until 2023, but New Orleans can fire him. His contract includes a base salary of $12.8 million for next season, and he played in just three games in 2022 before losing his job – in part due to a back injury – to Andy Dalton.
Injured in Week 1, Winston attempted to continue playing in Weeks 2 and 3 as he threw five interceptions and was ejected seven while passing just two touchdowns.
When Winston claimed he was healthy enough to play again and wanted another chance, the Saints stuck with Dalton, who completed 66.7% of his passes for 2,871 yards with 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 14 starts.
Dalton, 35 and a 12-year NFL veteran, will be a free agent this offseason.
Source: LA Times