Tag: Raiders release Derek Carr

Might Commanders coach desire to reunite with Derek Carr?

Derek Carr has one significant tie to a member of Washington’s coaching staff.

Sometimes it’s who you know.

Coaches hire coaches with whom they’ve worked previously. Coaches often seek out a player who previously played for them.

With that in mind, despite the fact that Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera was adamant the Commanders would not be in the quarterback market this year shopping for a high-priced quarterback, might one of his coaching staff like to have Derek Carr?

Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio was the Oakland Raiders head coach for three seasons (2015-17). Released by the Raiders Tuesday,  Carr, a nine-year NFL veteran, started for Del Rio and the Raiders during those same three seasons.

In each of those three seasons coached by Del Rio, Carr earned a Pro Bowl spot. In 2015, Carr passed for 32 touchdowns with 13 interceptions as the Raiders finished the season at 7-9. The following season, the Raiders were 12-4 (12-3 in the 15 games Carr played) as Carr passed for 28 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions. Slipping back to 6-10 in 2017, Carr passed for 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Del Rio was fired following the 2017 season, took off the 2018 and 2019 seasons, and was hired by Rivera to be Washington’s defensive coordinator in 2020.

Del Rio might like to be reunited with Carr as he would certainly bring nine years of NFL starting quarterback experience to the Commanders offense, which struggled mightily at the position in many games this past season.

However, Dan Snyder is attempting to sell the Commanders. Why would he be interested in paying out a large sum of money to sign and pay Carr upfront and then have no opportunity to reap the benefits himself?

Rivera has already made himself clear the Commanders are not going to be shopping, and Carr, being a free agent, is going to have a few teams who will aggressively pursue the former Raiders quarterback because Carr would be an upgrade in their quarterback room.

Who might have the money and might be interested and also in need of a quarterback? Well, the Jets and Bucs immediately come to mind. If Geno Smith signs elsewhere, Seattle might be a good fit for Carr. The Colts need a quarterback, but they might be content to draft one in the first round.

Del Rio and Carr might like to reunite, but this year doesn’t appear to be good timing for the Commanders. Look for Carr to sign elsewhere where he can make much more money.

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Raiders release Derek Carr; Should Commanders pursue Carr?

Derek Carr is a free agent and would be an upgrade at QB for Washington. Should the Commanders pursue?

Derek Carr, a 4-time Pro Bowl quarterback is now a free agent; might the Washington Commanders have interest in Carr?

Carr, who has passed for 35,222 yards in his nine NFL seasons as an Oakland and Las Vegas Raider, was released by the Raiders Tuesday. The Raiders and Carr were at odds with one another. Las Vegas had attempted to trade Carr in the last week, but when those efforts were thwarted, the Raiders made sure to release Carr one day prior to $40.4 million that was to be guaranteed to Carr.

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera just last week told Pro Football Talk host Mike Florio that he had determined Sam Howell was going to be given every opportunity this offseason to secure a hold as the No. 1 starter for the Commanders in the 2023 season.

Rivera was also clear that Washington, unlike last offseason, was not going to shop for any quarterbacks where they would be required to invest a good amount of capital.

First-year Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels determined during the 2022 season that Carr would not be his quarterback moving forward. Carr is not a top-tier All-Pro, no. However, Carr has been a Pro Bowler four times, completed 64.6 percent of his passes, and he is certainly no check-down Charlie quarterback.

Carr’s touchdown to interception ratio is 217:99, he led four fourth-quarter comebacks and three game-winning drives in 2022. However, Carr’s passing yards per game were down to 234.8, his lowest since his 233.1 ypg in 2017. His career won / loss numbers as a starter are 63-79-0.

Carr’s 2022 QBR of 55.6 was actually higher than his 2021 of 52.4. Carr will become age 32 in March.

Carr is not elite, but he will draw interest which may make him more expensive than the Commanders might be interested in paying a quarterback next season.

Look for the Commanders to pass on Carr, select another veteran to sign, to come and mentor Sam Howell, who, for now, appears to be the most likely starter for 2023.

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