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Raiders: Why Derek Carr to the Saints makes sense

By Khaled Abdallah

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 30: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders is preasured by Kaden Elliss #55 of the New Orleans Saints during an NFL game at Caesars Superdome on October 30, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 30: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders is preasured by Kaden Elliss #55 of the New Orleans Saints during an NFL game at Caesars Superdome on October 30, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 30: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks to pass in the second quarter of a game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on October 30, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 30: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks to pass in the second quarter of a game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on October 30, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

Raiders: Why Derek Carr to the Saints makes sense

More straightforward path to success in the NFC South

The closest Derek Carr and the Raiders came to winning the AFC West was all the way back in 2016 where an unfortunate injury ended their hopes in week 16. Since then, the division has somehow become even more competitive with the addition of a potential future GOAT in Patrick Mahomes, a budding star in Justin Herbert, and a veteran quarterback that had a down year in Russell Wilson.

One of the reasons why we believed Carr would not sign with the New York Jets was because of how difficult that division looks on paper. Despite their struggles in the playoffs, the Buffalo Bills are a dominant regular season team and have one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Josh Allen.

The New England Patriots missed the playoffs last year but you can never count out the greatest coach of all time in Bill Belichick and no one wants to have to face him twice a year. The Miami Dolphins have some question marks at quarterback but they still have the fastest wide receiver duo in the NFL and have the potential to have a powerhouse offense.

The NFC South is quite the opposite. Derek Carr becomes the best quarterback in the division by default as the Carolina Panthers will likely be drafting someone with their first-round pick, the Buccaneers plan to start Kyle Trask, and Atlanta looks to be rolling with Desmond Ridder. Any of those young quarterbacks could take a big leap including whoever Carolina selects, but the prospect of six games in the NFC South seems much more appealing than six games against the AFC East.

There is a clear path for Carr to win a division for the first time in his career and pick up where Drew Brees left off with his dominance of the NFC South. All of the other teams could still be competitive in 2023 but it’s fair to say that they are all in the midst of rebuilds at this point.

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