The New Orleans Saints made one of the first big splashes in 2023 NFL free agency by signing former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr to a four-year contract worth $150 million.
Carr was released by the Raiders after refusing to waive his no-trade clause. The 31-year-old quarterback also met with the New York Jets but wound up deciding to join the Saints, reuniting Carr with head coach Dennis Allen.
The Saints have gone great lengths to help the offense around Carr. They brought back 2019 Offensive Player of the Year Michael Thomas on a restructured deal and signed 2022 rushing touchdowns leader Jamaal Williams to a three-year pact worth $12 million.
Speaking to Kenneth Teape of NFL Analysis Network, one NFL scout offered a bold prediction on the new Saints’ signal-caller: That Carr will return to an MVP-like form in The Big Easy:
“The fit with the Saints is perfect for Derek Carr. A change of scenery is exactly what he needed. I would not be surprised if he’s back to the MVP form from a few years back in New Orleans.”
The Saints initially planned to use Jameis Winston as their starting quarterback for 2022, but he only appeared in three games before Andy Dalton took over as the starter in Week 4 with the former injured. Dalton finished the season as the starter, and the injury-ravaged club finished with a 7-10 record.
With Tom Brady now retired, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are no longer the class of the NFC South. Carr is easily the best quarterback in the division, though that could change when the Carolina Panthers pick first overall in next month’s draft.
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Carr’s final season in Las Vegas didn’t go as expected, but a fresh start in New Orleans might be all that’s necessary for him to revive his career.
