Derek Carr is a free agent, should the Patriots pursue?

On Tuesday, the Las Vegas Raiders officially released Derek Carr after nearly a decade. Should the Patriots have interest in the veteran?  The QB carousel is going to be quite fun this offseason.  The first major move was the Raiders cutting ties with Derek Carr after nearly a decade in Las Vegas.

Since it’s still the league year, Carr is free to sign with any team he wants, immediately.  This could provide Carr with an opportunity to get a head start if he’d sign with a new team before free agency.

The New England Patriots have plenty of cap space to make several big moves if they wanted to.  Their primary issues are on the offensive side of the ball, specifically at tackle and wide receiver.  The team needs a high end talent on the outside and perhaps two new starting tackles.

Additionally, if we were to list the next most important need on the team or the offense, QB would be the next biggest hole.  Mac Jones played about as well as a rookie could have in 2021, but regressed in 2022.

In fact, rookie Bailey Zappe played better in limited action in 2022 than Jones did.  There are valid questions about the viability of Jones in the NFL as a long-term starter in the NFL.

Derek Carr, if nothing else, is established.  Quarterbacks don’t throw for over 200 passing touchdowns and 35,000 yards in the regular season without being good at what they do, right?

I also happen to think that the total dysfunction of the Raiders’ organization all of these years contributed to what seems to be a lower opinion on Derek Carr that many people have.

This wouldn’t have to be a long-term commitment from the Patriots, but getting some consistent stability at the position.  A two or three year deal from the Patriots for the former Raiders’ QB could be the way to go.

A following move that would make sense would then be to trade Mac Jones, perhaps to the Raiders.