NFL insider floats wild Raiders trade target to replace Derek Carr

The Las Vegas Raiders have moved on from Derek Carr as their quarterback, and an NFL insider floated around a wild trade target.

The Las Vegas Raiders showed their hand that they were in the market for a new quarterback after they benched Derek Carr for the final two games of the season.

This past Tuesday, one day before the Feb. 15 deadline that guaranteed $40 million over the next two years on his contract, the Raiders released Carr.

With that, fans are wondering what the team is going to do to address the big vacancy. Would they make a trade for Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers? Or would they select one of the top quarterback prospects with their seventh-overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft?

ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio floated a wild trade target for the Raiders. That quarterback is none other than Mac Jones of the New England Patriots.

“Or how about Mac Jones? After the season ended, Patriots coach Bill Belichick was asked whether Jones will be the team’s starter in 2023. Belichick didn’t answer the question, saying instead that Jones has proved he can play in this league,” writes Florio. “Perhaps a trade could happen, pairing Jones with the former Patriots offensive coordinator who helped Jones have a solid rookie season.”

Could Raiders trade for Patriots QB Mac Jones?

That would certainly be an interesting target for the Raiders. After all, there is the Patriots connection between Jones and head coach Josh McDaniels.

The MMQB’s Albert Breer commented on Florio’s thoughts during an appearance on Zolak and Bertrand on 98.5 The Sports Hub, and talked about the actual chances the Patriots could move on from Jones after just two years.

“I don’t think Bill appreciated the way that Mac handled some of the stuff last year,” Breer said, h/t NBC Sports Boston. “There’s a way that I think Bill thinks a franchise quarterback should conduct himself. And for the most part, (Tom) Brady did conduct himself that way. I think there were certain things in the way that Mac handled his second year as a pro that Bill didn’t appreciate.

“I don’t know how in love the Raiders are with Mac. Like, if you’re talking about getting their first-round pick, I don’t think that’s happening.”

Breer said that it would be interesting to see what would happen if a “real offer came along,” but stressed that he doesn’t think a “real offer” would be made.

Jones was selected with the 15th-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Alabama. After winning the starting job over Cam Newton, Jones shined throughout the season with McDaniels as his offensive coordinator. In 17 games, Jones threw for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions while completing 67.6 percent of his passes. He was named to the Pro Bowl, and finished second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting behind Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.

After the 2021 season, McDaniels left New England to become Las Vegas’ head coach. To replace him, the Patriots had Matt Patricia call offensive plays and Joe Judge serving as quarterbacks coach. The offense struggled, and Jones saw a drop-off in production.

In 14 games played this past season, Jones threw for just 2,997 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while completing 65.2 percent of his passes.

Crazier things have happened in the NFL, last offseason was proof of that, especially with the Russell Wilson trade. With the league year beginning on March 15, fans may get an idea as to who their starting signal caller will be heading into the 2023 season-opener.