Getty New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh.
The New York Jets appear willing to open up the checkbook this offseason in free agency, according to new projections.
The Athletic’s Mike Jones predicted Derek Carr, who was released by the Las Vegas Raiders on February 14, would sign with the Jets as one of his 10 “bold offseason projections” in a February 18 story.
And Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger projected that whoever does sign Carr, who will turn 32 in March, would give him a two-year deal worth $60 million (including $32.5 million in guaranteed money), making him the 12th highest-paid quarterback in football.
Some Key Details on a Potential Derek Carr-Jets Signing
Spielberger wrote that it isn’t “often a quarterback of this caliber” reaches the open market like this.
He projected that Carr would not “match” the $121 million contract he signed last offseason, writing that a “solid short-term deal” would allow him to rebuild his value before potentially dipping back into free agency in 2025.
Mike Jones wrote that Jets will be able to lure Carr to New York even though he will have “his share of suitors” in free agency.
“Enticing him with young wide receivers and a top-notch defense that give him a chance to contend in the AFC East,” Jones wrote. “Carr provides New York with a veteran quarterback in the prime of his career.”
The Latest Details on the Jets’ QB Pursuits
Carr started his multi-day visit to the Jets facilities on February 17 and was expected to meet through the following day, according to a tweet from Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
This is the veteran quarterback’s first visit as an unrestricted free agent this offseason. He did visit the New Orleans Saints before his release from the Raiders.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said on February 17 that there’s a chance that Carr could still visit one more franchise before making a decision.
“The timeline here is interesting, he would like to do something before the start of free agency,” Rapoport said. “So maybe around the time of the [NFL] combine, we might have an idea of where Carr will land.” The combine begins February 28 and runs through March 6 in Indianapolis.
From @NFLTotalAccess: On FA QB Derek Carr and #Jets visit…
Even though the Jets met with Carr this weekend, Rapoport said, the team’s top option still is Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
“The Jets remain interested in Aaron Rodgers for a potential trade if Rodgers plays and if he wants to go to [New York],” he said. “So Rodgers will be their top priority. If that’s not possible, certainly, Carr will be very much in the mix.”
At one point, it seemed timing would have forced the Jets into making a decision about their quarterback without a clear picture of their options. But if Carr is going to wait until the end of February to make his intentions known, the Jets should have plenty of time to find answers to all of their questions about Rodgers’ availability and level of interest in playing for the Jets. At that point in time, Rodgers’ darkness retreat will have concluded and he presumably will have emerged with a clearer idea about his football future.