The New York Jets’ search for Derek Carr has gone so far as to list Canton, Ohio as the top free-agent quarterback.
For those who don’t know, that’s the destination of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a place where the Jets told Carr he would land if he won in New York.
ESPN’s Dianna Russini discussed the Jets’ recent meeting with Carr, which she said was very good for both parties.
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New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) and New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh talk before the National Football League game between the New York Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals on September 25, 2022 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
«In terms of [how] New York was trying to sell it because, let’s face it, that’s what they’re doing right now. They were pretty clear with him,» Russini said. “They told him that he is a great quarterback. They think he has a legitimate cast of players. passed over [defense]The strong, young guys, the explosive running game. They went through from start to finish why Derek Carr can step in here and take this team not just to the playoffs, but to the Super Bowl.»
But the grand finale of the Jets’ pitch came down to winning the Vince Lombardi Trophy and what that would mean for Carr’s image in the tri-state area.
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“They also made it very personal. They said, ‘We think if you come to New York and win, you could be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.’ So they got right into Derek Carr here and let him know that they really want him to play for the New York Jets.»
As Russini mentioned, Carr is in the driver’s seat with this situation. He was released by the Las Vegas Raiders, who are aiming to go in a different direction at quarterback after Carr spent nine seasons in the silver and black. For the first time, he can rejoin any team he likes, and he doesn’t have to wait out the legal tampering period like other free agents because of when his release happened.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr #4 looks to throw during the first half of a game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Chris Unger/Getty Images)
But the Jets seem to want Carr a lot, as head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas acknowledge they are nearing a championship window. They have bright young talent on both sides of the ball under contract.
Unfortunately, their second overall pick, Zach Wilson, flopped in his sophomore season and the Jets clearly believe he has more development to do. Learning behind a veteran quarterback who has shown success in the league is the way they want to proceed.
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Teams like the Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints and others will be looking to court Carr soon and pitch him their own ideas with their supporting cast.
But the Jets are also in the driver’s seat with ample amounts of salary cap space to outpace teams, as well as the offensive line and weapons in the pass-and-run game to entice Carr to greensuit and white next season.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr #4 speaks during a news conference after the first day of mandatory minicamp at the Los Vegas Raiders/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on June 7, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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And while the Super Bowl is on the Jets’ minds, Carr could be the missing piece they need to break their playoff drought that went to 12 straight seasons after posting a 7-10 record in 2022.