New 2023 QB option emerges for New York Jets

Could Derek Carr become a New York Jet?

The New York Jets figure to be major players in the NFL’s 2023 quarterback market. As we sit here on December 28, 2022, the 2023 quarterback carousel has already begun spinning due to some major news out of Nevada.

On Wednesday, it was announced that the Las Vegas Raiders are benching Derek Carr for the remainder of the regular season in favor of Jarrett Stidham. Carr will be inactive.

Raiders are benching Derek Carr and turning to Jarrett Stidham as their new starting QB.

Carr has thrown a league-leading 14 interceptions— including three Saturday night during a 13-10 loss to the Steelers.

Stidham has thrown only 61 passes and never has started an NFL game. pic.twitter.com/IJa1LfYGXT

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 28, 2022

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that part of the reason for the benching is that Las Vegas wants to preserve Carr’s health for a potential trade this offseason. Fowler says Carr’s market could “heat up after the Super Bowl”.

Sources: #Raiders have benched Derek Carr in part to preserve his health for a potential trade this offseason. Don’t want to risk injury, and his market could heat up after the Super Bowl, sources say, though option to stay still on the table.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 28, 2022

This past April, Carr signed a three-year, $121.5 million contract extension that includes $65.3 million guaranteed, extending his contract through the 2025 season. The deal also features a no-trade clause.

The entirety of Carr’s 2023 salary and $7.5 million of his 2024 salary will become guaranteed on February 15, three days after Super Bowl LVII. If Carr is dealt, it will likely be prior to that date.

The #Raiders would save $29.25M in 2023 salary cap space if they traded or cut Derek Carr. That decision must be made 3 days after the Super Bowl. https://t.co/KIJxhFaWoi

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 28, 2022

Las Vegas had high expectations entering this season. The Raiders went into the year with an over-under of 10.5 wins at most sportsbooks after making the playoffs at 10-7 in 2021 and adding superstar wide receiver Davante Adams in the offseason.

Things have not gone as planned. The Raiders sit at 6-9, mostly due to a boatload of shocking blown leads throughout the year. They are still mathematically alive for the playoffs but would need just about everything to go their way for a 2-0 finish to get them into the postseason.

Carr is having a down year by his usual standards. He has completed 305 of 502 passes (60.8%) for 3,522 yards (7.0 per attempt), 24 touchdowns, and a league-leading 14 interceptions. His 86.3 passer rating ranks 25th out of 33 qualifiers, although his 56.0 QBR ranks 13th.

Out of 35 qualified active quarterbacks, Carr ranks 16th in career passer rating (91.8) and 16th in career net yards per pass attempt (6.43).

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