Derek Carr could be a legitimate option at QB for the Saints in 2023

The New Orleans Saints have struggled to find a consistent quarterback after Drew Brees retired following the 2020 season. Derek Carr of the Las Vegas Raiders could be an option for them in 2023.

It might not seem like this could be a realistic option due to the extension the Raiders gave Carr in the offseason but hear me out. With the Raiders currently sitting with a top five pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, it'll be hard for the franchise not to go after one of the top two quarterback prospects. If they are able to draft either C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young, Carr will be expendable.

The Saints currently don't have the draft capital to trade for Carr but if Sean Payton settles on a team he'd like to coach in 2023 and beyond, perhaps New Orleans can obtain a first-round pick and offer it to Las Vegas for Carr. He'll be a popular commodity if he does hit the trade block and that's why the Saints would only be able to pull this move off if Payton wants to return to coaching.

Derek Carr would make the Saints better in 2023 and beyond

Carr has had an interesting career. He's arguably the third-best quarterback in the AFC West but that's because he plays in a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert. That's also led to him never winning the division or even a playoff game. He's only made the playoffs once (he was injured in 2016 when the Raiders made it) and lost to the Bengals but Carr is someone who can help a talented roster compete.

With Chris Olave and Michael Thomas plus Juwan Johnson having a breakout year and Alvin Kamara as an option as a pass-catcher, Carr would have plenty of solid weapons at his disposal in New Orleans. He'd also be in a winnable division for the first time in his career and it'd reunite him with Dennis Allen, the coach that drafted him in 2014.

Some fans might look back to Carr's lackluster performance in Week 8 and say "No thanks" but that's one really bad game, which all quarterbacks are bound to have at some point. The fact of the matter is that Carr has thrown for over 4,000 yards in four straight seasons (including 4,800+ yards last year) and is someone who can make offenses better.

If he becomes available on the trade market, the New Orleans Saints need to do themselves a favor and pursue the Fresno State product. It could make them immediate Super Bowl contenders in 2023 and beyond.