Saints only need one thing to make Derek Carr trade happen

February 9, 2023 ndowd

Derek Carr is set to visit the New Orleans Saints as the Raiders quarterback seeks a trade but there is apparently only one thing stopping the deal for now.

If you’ve been patiently waiting for the New Orleans Saints to figure out what their next long-term move at quarterback since Drew Brees retired, there are two things to know. First, you’re not alone. Secondly, though, you also might not have to wait all that much longer to get the answer.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday that the Raiders had given the Saints permission to have Derek Carr for a visit as the quarterback seeks a trade partner that he feels suits him. He has a full no-trade clause that he must waive in order to approve any deal.

Apparently, that’s also the only hurdle left to clear for the Saints to land Carr as their next quarterback.

According to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, New Orleans and Las Vegas have already agreed to the trade compensation that would go to the Raiders in a Derek Carr trade. That was required to approve a meeting between the quarterback and any team. Now, all that needs to happen is for Carr to approve the move and waive his no-trade clause.

Just for clarity sake: The @Raiders and @Saints have agreed on compensation element of a trade for Derek Carr. That was always the requirement for any team to get permission to speak with Carr.

— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) February 8, 2023

Saints rumors: Derek Carr trade only needs QB’s approval to go to New Orleans

Many people have noted on Twitter that the Saints, currently at $60 million over the salary cap entering the 2023 league year and would need to maneuver to take on Carr’s $33 million cap hit for next season. While true (and possible if they restructured essentially every deal on their books), there is also another solution.

Tashan Reed of The Athletic noted that, because Carr’s cap hit is all salary, the event of a trade could allow the Saints to convert most of that money into a signing bonus to help ease the blow on the salary cap. He also said it wouldn’t be simple but it is “possible”.

And since most of Carr’s remaining contract is salary, it would be relatively easy for them to convert a lot of it into a signing bonus to lower his Year 1 cap hit and help the Saints’ theoretical effort of getting under the salary cap. It has a lot of layers, but it’s possible. https://t.co/TM9yDlkrLb

— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) February 8, 2023

It seems like the pieces are moving quickly for Derek Carr to become the next quarterback of the Saints. And given the platter of subpar quarterback play New Orleans has seen since Brees’ departure, that would have to be a welcome sight for fans.

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