Jets reportedly wanted this QB before they traded for Aaron Rodgers in 2023
By Zac Wassink | Last updated 9/16/24
Before the New York Jets acquired future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers in April 2023, the Jets met with veteran signal-caller Derek Carr after he was released by the Las Vegas Raiders in February of that year.
Carr ultimately signed with the New Orleans Saints amid whispers suggesting that the Jets were all-in on getting Rodgers. However, NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic revealed in an update shared on Monday morning that “the [Jets’] top choice for a veteran QB was Derek Carr” two offseasons ago.
Carr received a four-year contract reportedly worth $150M with $100M in total guarantees from the Saints, and he said as recently as this summer that “it just wasn’t the right time” for him to join the Jets back in March 2023. Saleh and Co. seemingly were thrilled to land Rodgers the following month, but the 40-year-old then suffered a torn Achilles just four offensive snaps into his first official start with Gang Green last September.
Meanwhile, Carr went 9-8 as a starter during his first campaign with New Orleans and has guided the Saints to a 2-0 record this month. According to ESPN stats, Carr entered Monday ranked first in the NFL among qualified players with a 96.2 adjusted QBR, first with a 142.4 passer rating and tied for first with five touchdown passes on the season.
Russini noted that first-year Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak “has injected a new level of dynamism into the team’s offense, reminiscent of the high-powered Sean Payton-Drew Brees years.” To compare, the 1-1 Jets reportedly “made legitimate attempts this offseason to hire someone who would, essentially, replace” much-maligned offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
