Derek Carr’s name is back in the offseason spotlight - and not just because his shoulder is finally back to full strength. According to reports, the veteran quarterback has “no limitations” after dealing with a shoulder injury during his final season in New Orleans.
That’s welcome news for teams looking to stabilize the quarterback position with a proven, experienced option. At 34, Carr may not be the long-term answer, but he’s still very much capable of steering an offense with competence - and in the right system, maybe even more than that.
Now, here’s where things get interesting. There’s a scenario brewing that could involve not one, but three teams - and it has the potential to reshape the quarterback market in a big way.
Let’s start with the Las Vegas Raiders. Carr’s old team is once again in the market for a quarterback, and a reunion isn’t as far-fetched as it might seem.
Sure, Carr’s time in Vegas ended with the franchise moving on, but there’s a new coaching staff in place - and a familiar face at that. Klint Kubiak, the Raiders’ new head coach, worked with Carr during his stint as the Saints’ offensive coordinator.
While the Saints didn’t light up the win column, Carr played some of his sharpest football under Kubiak’s guidance.
Kubiak’s system leaned heavily on play-action and quick decision-making - a great fit for Carr’s strengths. The offense opened up more downfield shots and allowed Carr to operate with rhythm and confidence. It’s not hard to see why Kubiak might be intrigued by the idea of bringing him back.
Carr fits the mold of a veteran quarterback who can steady the ship - think Sam Darnold, who Kubiak just helped win a Super Bowl. While Carr doesn’t come with the same upside as a top rookie prospect, he offers a level of experience and familiarity that could be invaluable for a coach looking to install a new system and build a culture.
But here’s the twist: the Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft. That selection is widely projected to be Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza - a potential franchise cornerstone. So why would Vegas even consider bringing Carr back?
Because there’s another option on the table.
Instead of drafting Mendoza, the Raiders could trade the top pick, reunite with Carr via a deal with the Saints, and stockpile draft capital in the process. Carr wouldn’t cost a fortune - likely a mid-third to early-fourth round pick - and that would allow Vegas to stay competitive in the short term without putting all their chips on a rookie quarterback.
And if they move the No. 1 pick? There’s one team that immediately jumps to the front of the line: the New York Jets.
The Jets are in quarterback purgatory after a rough first season under new head coach Aaron Glenn - who, like Kubiak, also has ties to New Orleans. Glenn knows how important it is to get the quarterback position right, and the Jets have the assets to make a move. They own four top-50 picks in this year’s draft, including Nos. 2 and 16, and they’ve got three first-rounders already lined up for 2027.
That kind of draft capital gives them the flexibility to make a bold move up to No. 1 - and they might not have a choice. The Jets need a franchise quarterback.
Not a stopgap. Not a reclamation project.
A true face-of-the-franchise type. If they believe Mendoza is that guy, they’ll have to go get him.
A trade from No. 2 to No. 1 wouldn’t be overly complicated. Standard trade value charts suggest it could take No. 2 and a second-rounder (No. 33), but the Raiders would likely push for one of those 2027 firsts. The Jets can afford to meet that price.
For Las Vegas, it’s a win-win. They drop just one spot, add premium picks, and bring back a quarterback their head coach knows and trusts.
It also gives them flexibility down the line - especially with a potentially loaded 2027 quarterback class on the horizon. If things don’t work out in the short term, they’ll have the ammo to try again.
For the Saints, it’s a chance to recoup valuable draft capital while fully committing to rookie Tyler Shough, who showed flashes late in the season. With a strong 2025 class to build around, New Orleans can shift into a new phase of their rebuild.
And for the Jets? It’s the kind of move that could finally end their quarterback carousel.
If they believe Mendoza is the guy, this is the moment to act. With the right quarterback in place, Glenn can start building the kind of identity the Jets have been chasing for years.
One move. Three franchises.
And a ripple effect that could reshape the NFL quarterback landscape for seasons to come. Derek Carr might not be the centerpiece of the draft, but he could be the domino that sets everything in motion.