It’s become Aaron Rodgers-or-bust for the Jets this offseason as their safety net of Derek Carr is gone. Per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the former Raiders quarterback will be joining the New Orleans Saints.
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
(In a reply to this tweet, Garafolo noted that it’s Derek and not his brother David, as he originally tweeted.)
The Saints were the first team Carr met with and did so even before he was released by the Raiders. He later met with the Jets and then met with both teams a second time along with the Panthers in Indianapolis last week at the Scouting Combine.
This comes just after a report saying the Jets were the team Carr was leaning toward, but the Jets made it clear they were waiting on a decision from Rodgers. That opened the door for the Saints, who had Carr as their No. 1 target.
The Jets now will be all in on Rodgers, and if that blows up in their face, then they could be left scrambling. Jimmy Garoppolo has been linked to the Raiders lately, and the Titans have seemed to make it clear they are not letting go of Ryan Tannehill.
Bottom line: The pursuit of Rodgers had better work out for the Jets or they are in big trouble.