Report: Derek Carr won’t accept trade anywhere, expected to become free agent

Should the Jets turn their attention to soon-to-be free agent Derek Carr?

A potential target for the Jets in their quest for a veteran quarterback looks set to hit the open market and then the race will really be on.

Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr told the team he will not accept a trade to any team. The Raiders are expected to release Carr, making him a free agent.

Carr visited the Saints this past week after the Raiders had granted permission to the Saints to speak with the quarterback. That also meant there was likely some kind of agreement in terms of compensation for the Raiders for a potential trade, but Carr had his no-trade clause and will enforce that clause on not just the Saints, but any other team, meaning the Jets are included.

As a result, Carr will likely be released by the Raiders within the next few days. His $32.9 million salary for 2023 and $7.5 million of his $41.9 million 2024 salary all become guaranteed on Wednesday, so the Raiders will likely move on from Carr before those guarantees come to a head.

Spotrac projects Carr’s market value to be almost $38 million per year, which is around what he was scheduled to make over the next three years with the Raiders.

So now the question becomes do the Jets try to sign Carr in free agency, make a trade for Aaron Rodgers or go after another quarterback such as Jimmy Garoppolo or Ryan Tannehill? Keep in mind that since the Raiders will be cutting Carr, he is free to sign anywhere at any time. He does not have to wait until the start of the new league year on March 15.