Derek Carr's unexpected retirement cleared the way for the Saints. Now, a surprising trade partner emerges, potentially netting significant draft capital.
Last offseason, when the New Orleans Saints hired Kellen Moore as HC, the QB position was very confusing. Derek Carr was set to return, but the Saints could have moved on from him. The issue was that the team would be thrown into a rebuild and face so much uncertainty at QB. This is the opposite of what the Saints like to do, so the feeling was that Carr would play one more year.
Well, that did not happen. Carr ended up retiring after apparently suffering a shoulder injury in the offseason, which turned out to be the greatest thing to happen to this franchise. The weight was lifted off the organization when Carr was no longer playing, and with the resurgence of Tyler Shough, the Saints' future is much clearer than it would be if Carr were still on the roster.
Throughout the season, the only time Carr was brought up was when people compared last season to this season, but now that the offseason is here, the veteran QB is a part of much bigger conversations. According to many reports, Carr may be returning to the NFL, and he has suitors around the league.
For the Saints, this is the best news possible. Financially, this move would not be crippling because all guaranteed money had already been removed due to Carr's retirement; they now have a new asset to secure draft capital, and teams will be desperate. One of those QB-needy teams would be the perfect trade partner for the Saints.
Where Should the Saints Send Carr?
Out of all the potential options are the market, the New York Jets are the glaring perfect trade partner for the Saints. The reasons are endless.
On Carr's side, if the Saints are going to have a little bit of his interests in mind, the Jets are the #1 team that he can become the starting QB for multiple years. The Jets have been looking for a solidified starting QB for my entire life, so if they can get that for three years, they are going to do it.
For the Saints' side, the Jets would be the top team to overpay. Given their lack of starters over the years, the Jets' desperation for a QB is palpable, especially with HC Aaron Glenn fighting for his job. Matching that with the lack of QB options this offseason, Carr may be their best path to finding someone to start next season and save Glenn's job.
Price-wise, this could be a fourth and a later round pick straight up for Carr, or the Saints can add some draft capital with the QB and trade up. An example of this is trading Carr and their second-round pick (42) for the Jets' second-round pick (33).
There are options here, but if the Saints could choose the perfect team to trade Carr to, it would be the Jets.