The Las Vegas Raiders have moved on from Derek Carr, who will not be with the team for the remainder of the season and is expected to be traded this offseason.
His next team odds have been unveiled by DraftKings, which has made the Indianapolis Colts the favorite to land the veteran quarterback.
The Colts are listed at +275 to add Carr, followed by the New York Jets at +400 and the Tennessee Titans at +500. Carr has +3000 odds to return to the Raiders next season.
Here are the nine most likely destinations when it comes to next team odds for Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, via DraftKings on January 3:
- Colts +275
- Jets +400
- Titans +500
- Patriots +800
- Commanders +850
- Panthers +900
- Buccaneers +900
- Giants +1000
- Saints +1000
Why The Colts?
The Colts have stumbled to a 4-11-1 record this season, as Matt Ryan has not been the answer. GM Chris Ballard desperately needs to find a signal-caller to save his job, and Carr would make sense because the roster is constructed to win now.
Heading into Week 18, the Colts are currently in line to select fifth in the draft, which may not be high enough to get Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud. The Colts could always trade up or look at other veteran options, but it certainly makes sense why they are the favorites to land Derek Carr in the next team odds unveiled by DraftKings.
Why the Jets?
The Jets spent the No. 2 overall pick on Zach Wilson just two years ago but he has struggled and been benched. Mike White is the top quarterback on the team but may not be a legitimate long-term option.
New York has outpaced expectations this season behind a strong defense and could take another step forward in 2023 with a competent quarterback in place. Jimmy Garoppolo is a popular name for the Jets but Carr would also make sense.
Why the Titans?
Ryan Tannehill is in the second-to-last year of his contract and after firing GM Jon Robinson midseason, it will be interesting to see which way the Titans go at quarterback.
Malik Willis was drafted in the third round of this year’s draft and has been playing for an injured Tannehill, but was recently benched in favor of journeyman Josh Dobbs. Willis should be in the mix to play next season but Carr is the superior option at this point.
The Titans are at a weird spot from a team-building perspective and Carr could keep them in the playoff hunt next season if they choose that route.
Other Top Options
The Patriots could be in the mix if they have soured on Mac Jones, the Commanders might be the latest team to get rid of Carson Wentz, the Panthers need a quarterback, and Tom Brady’s potential retirement or free agency defection would put the Buccaneers in the market with a win-now roster.
Of those options, Tampa Bay has the most enticing odds at +900 since Brady’s exit seems likely. The Panthers are rebuilding and a rookie quarterback makes more sense, while Washington could look into other choices. The Saints and Giants could also need a starting quarterback and thus are on the short list.
After that, we get into the teams with longer next team odds for Derek Carr.
- Texans +1800
- Falcons +2000
- Seahawks +2000
- Steelers +2000
- Ravens +3000
- Raiders +3000
- Dolphins +3000
- Cardinals +4000
- Packers +4500
- Vikings +5000
- Rams +6000
- Broncos +6000
- Lions +6000
- Bears +6000
- 49ers +6500
- Cowboys +8000
- Browns +10000
- Bills +10000
- Eagles +10000
- Chargers +10000
- Jaguars +10000
- Chiefs +10000
- Bengals +10000
An Intriguing Longshot
Derek Carr has 20/1 odds to join the Atlanta Falcons, which is the same odds as Carr joining the Seahawks. Atlanta is intriguing because it is currently slated to pick No. 6 in the draft, which may not be high enough to get a star quarterback prospect.
The Falcons will be heading into Year 3 with coach Arthur Smith, who needs to start showing some tangible progress. Desmond Ridder was drafted in the third round in 2022 and could be in the mix to start next year, although his numbers have not been very impressive in three starts as a rookie.
Atlanta has drafted Kyle Pitts and Drake London in the first round each of the past two seasons but don’t have a quarterback that has been capable of getting them the ball consistently. Carr would change that, and his salary cap number of $32.9 million next season would fit fine.
Best Bet For Derek Carr’s Next Team
If I’m choosing among the favorites, the Jets are the choice because of their slightly longer odds compared to the Colts. Both teams are anxious to take a big step forward in 2023 and have a huge hole at quarterback.
Carr could be a good fit for the New York offense as it has several young playmakers that could excel with a competent quarterback. So the +400 is a worthwhile wager, but I really like the value of the Falcons here.
Atlanta might be reticent to spend another year in purgatory, and Carr will be one of the few plug-and-play options available if the draft is not a realistic place to land a franchise quarterback.
When deciding on the next team for Derek Carr, the Falcons at +2000 is an intriguing bet.
