Former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has agreed to a four-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, a person familiar with the deal said Monday.
The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal with the seasoned freelance quarterback had not been announced.
Carr played nine seasons for the Raiders and holds club records for yards passing (35,222) and touchdown passes (217). But he never won a playoff game. And after struggling late last season, Carr was benched with two games left.
Carr, who turns 32 on March 28, was released by Las Vegas on February 14 after refusing to waive the no-trade clause in his contract. Las Vegas had to trade or release him by that date or $40.4 million of his contract for the next two years would be fully guaranteed.
Saints coach Dennis Allen coached the Raiders when they selected Carr in the second round of the 2014 draft from Fresno State. Allen coached Carr for only four games before being fired that year.
The move provides a degree of security for the Saints in a vitally important position that was shrouded in uncertainty for the club following the 2022 7-10 season.
Jameis Winston is under contract with the Saints until 2023, but New Orleans could release him. His contract requires a base salary of $12.8 million next season and he played in just three games in 2022 before losing his job – in part due to a back injury – to Andy Dalton.
Winston, who was injured in Week 1, tried to continue playing in Weeks 2 and 3, as he threw five interceptions and was sacked seven times while passing for just two touchdowns.
When Winston claimed he was healthy enough to play again and wanted another chance, the Saints stuck with Dalton, who completed 66.7% of his passes for 2,871 yards with 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 14 starts.
Dalton, 35 and a 12-year NFL veteran, will be a free agent this offseason.
