Could Derek Carr Fill The Void?

February 10th, 2022

“Derek, I’m telling you that you would f’ing love Tampa. Bruce Arians is more of a whiskey guy. I’m a Hooters-and-beer  guy myself.”

Yes, if the Bucs plan to compete for a Super Bowl in 2022, they will need a quarterback (if you believe Tom Brady won’t unretire and return to the Bucs).

(For the Sonny Jurgensen dude in LaBelle who comments a dozen times a day convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that Kyle Trask will hoist a Vince Lombardi Trophy in the air in victory a year from now, this story isn’t for you or your SEC quarterback ratings. So please, just sit back and relax. No one is trying to kill your boy.)

If all things were equal, Joe would dispatch a gaggle of accountants and salesmen to Houston and somehow swing a deal for Deshaun Watson. Joe’s second choice would be Derek Carr.

At least in reference to Carr, it seems Joe Tansey of Bleacher Report thinks he would be a good fit in Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians’ offense.

Carr has produced four straight 4,000-yard seasons, and he had 50 total touchdown passes the last two seasons with an average wide receiving corps.

In Tampa Bay, Carr’s numbers would likely increase because of Mike Evans’ presence. Chris Godwin could be back on the franchise tag as well.

Carr does not have the playoff experience that [Jimmy] Garoppolo holds, but he could be a better option in Tampa Bay because of how much the franchise could require its quarterback to air the ball out.

Carr is in the final year of his contract and will earn just under $20 million in 2022, so he’s affordable.

Carr is about as standup of a guy as you will find. Rear-view mirror logic says the Bucs should have drafted him in 2014. But… Stewart McClown.

Yes, Joe understands new Raiders coach Josh McDaniels said he is looking forward to working with Carr. Guys say a lot of things in their introductory press conferences. Remember how Chucky crowed about “Mark Alstott?” You think Joe is going to take a guy from the Belicheat School of Media Relations at his word at his first press conference?

And while there would likely be a learning curve for Carr when it comes to picks, Joe would expect Carr to toy with the 5,000-yard passing plateau in Tampa. And it sure would help Carr to bring back Chris Godwin.

66 Responses to “Could Derek Carr Fill The Void?”

  1. TOM EDRINGTON Says:

    Deshaun Watson, Joe(s) could be looking at a year-long suspension.

  2. Ash Says:

    What option do raiders have at QB if they trade Carr away? Nothing yeah that ain’t happening this is not a grocery store where you can just pluck him from the shelf.

  3. Swampbuc Says:

    Carr’s salary bothers me less than the trade loot necessary to get him. And, btw, I would like Derek Carr in pewter. He’s done a lot with not a lot.

  4. Dusthty Rhothdes Says:

    Carr would be awesome on this team with the weapons and it would be good for him to get out of that crappy situation out there

  5. Alanbucsfan Says:

    Kyler Murray is a better QB and I get the height problem. Carr is not a SB QB.
    If Brady doesn’t come back mid season, Bucs in 2023 should start rebuilding.
    If Bucs want to try and win in 2022, gotta go and get Jimmy G.

  6. Hodad Says:

    Arains is going to give Gabbert his shot, with Trask competing to back him up. BA does not want to train a new QB anymore than he wants to teach a new coach. BA will probably hang it up after this season. Arains has a comfort level with Blaine, he knows he gives him a chance. He’s well into this offense has thrown to Evans and Godwin for 3 years. Only 32 6 5 236 strong arm, and Arains loves him. He’s going to start.

  7. Durango 95 Says:

    Of all the names being thrown around as potential possibilities Carr is probably the best fit. I seriously doubt the Glazers have any desire to go the Deshaun Watson route.

  8. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    We could do worse than Carr……..and, since Joe’s OK with Watson….maybe Licht could post bail for Henry Ruggs if Godwin isn’t signed…..Too Bad Aaron Hernandez has passed….maybe he could have replaced Gronk.

  9. Locked In Says:

    He wears eye liner. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…

  10. PSL Bob Says:

    Would love me some Carr on the field. Dude has a rifle arm. With a great O-line and ME13 on the edge and CG12 in the slot, opponents better watch out. Throw in a little Scotty and 4net out of the backfield and now we’re cooking. Unlikely to happen, but of all this scenarios, this one excites me.

  11. Locked In Says:

    If we get Watson, the crowd could do an abbreviated tomahawk chop, with a shorter stroke and faster rhythm.

  12. Marine Buc Says:

    Maybe – but who will he throw to? We will have to give up some draft picks and pay Carr’s salary…

  13. Defense Rules Says:

    Would love to see Derek Carr as a Buc, but doubt it’d be before 2023 when he becomes a free agent. If Kyle Trask doesn’t work out this year, then by all means pursue Carr in 2023.

  14. Rotten Amiigo Says:

    If you cannot get Russell Wilson. You go after Carr the kid has a ton of heart and has what it takes to command a team

  15. Marine Buc Says:

    @ DR

    Too bad we can’t trade TB12 for Carr straight up…

    It would be nice to keep our draft picks.

  16. catcard202 Says:

    Would take another bite of the Jameis Winston tree before making a play for Carr or Watson….Raiders will likely not deal Carr anyway…and Watson is a bigger media nightmare for the organization than bringing back JW3.

    At least with JW3, the FO/Organization could say that “Hey, we loved Jameis & think he’s a good QB…That’s why we picked him #1 & stayed with him thru his 5th yr option…We do believe JW3 is an upper tier NFL QB…But TB12 was behind door #2 in 2020…That is no longer the case in 2022….No Risk It, No Biscuit”

    With Watson…”Hey, Asking for a handy in a gentlemen’s massage parlor is kind of a unspoken tradition….And if you walk around in a Policeman’s uniform…Reasonable people would assume your a Policeman…So, if you wear a whore suit to a massage parlor…Your clientele might jump to conclusions…
    No Risk It or No Biscuit.”

  17. Alanbucsfan Says:

    Kirk Cousins is better than dink and dunk Carr – you guys watch one game vs Chargers and think he’s great- smh. The Chiefs curb stomped him twice this year and the Bengals beat him twice.
    Carr is an ok QB but he’s not a no riskit no biscuit QB – 8-9, 10-7 every year at best.

  18. WillieG Says:

    Watson?!!! No. Freakin. Way. We already had one sex offender and look how that turned out. If a man doesn’t have the self restraint to not go mega perv on women, he sure won’t have the self restraint to do what he’s supposed to within the scope of his duties on the field. Yes, impulsive and self centered behavior is both an on and off field issue. Oh yeah, AND HE’S A FREAKIN PERVERT!!!!

  19. steele Says:

    Sure, Carr could “fill the void”. With mediocrity. With bad decisions, mind-numbingly stupid collapses and turnovers, and more mediocrity. Hard working, good guy, a lot of tools, and the sum total: mediocrity.

    He’s had season after season with amply stocked rosters full of weapons and teams that should have broken through. Coaches, including Chuckie, who made special efforts to push him into the elite category. To no avail. Because he’s just who he is.

    There’s also little upside in Carr. He’s had plenty of Matthew Stafford rejuvenation crusades already.

    Carr is no better an option that Jittery G or Andy Dalton. Or Ryan Connor McGregor Fitzmagic (who would at least entertain like hell on the way to a .500 season). Or most of the pitiful list of free agents.

    Far better to go youth. Or grab a young veteran/near rookie from another team who has been overlooked and doesn’t have ingrained bad habits.

  20. pick6 Says:

    i thought Carr would be a good plan b if the brady pursuit had failed 2 years ago. he’s played like a top 10-15 QB since then and his contract has only gotten more affordable. I like Carr better than any other realistic option that has been put forward. The Bucs can forget about Wilson and Rodgers, both of which would bankrupt the team of draft picks and cost the team double what David Carr does….and they are the last team that should be pursuing Watson

  21. David Says:

    I’d give up the next two first round picks to get Watson if they could figure out how to get him under 30 million a year. And all contingent on legal issues.

    (Or Murray)

    Carr would be choice three but I don’t think he’s being traded, not with the new head coach

  22. DoooshLaRue Says:

    TBBF,

    Pretty funny stuff.
    All those little “hassles”……

  23. Swampbuc Says:

    Reading all of the above, one conclusion.

    We are forked. I’m afraid the Goobert sentiment has a big chance.

  24. Defense Rules Says:

    Marine Buc … Josh McDaniels would be foolish to trade Carr in his first year as HC. I suspect he still very well remembers his 2 years out in Denver in 2009 (8-8) & 2010 (4-12) with Kyle Orton as his QB. Of course his BIG lesson should’ve been about the value of a strong defense. Denver’s defense finished #12 in 2009 with Mike Nolan as their new DC (hired by McDaniels), but then Nolan ‘moved on’ and Don Martindale took over as DC for 2010. Their defense went on to rank #32 … and McDaniels also ‘moved on’ after going 3-9 in their first 12 games. So did Martindale BTW (can’t imagine why).

    Denver Post quoted Nolan, when he left in 2009, as saying, “I can’t say anything other than Josh and I mutually agreed to part ways.” Ya right.

    Lesson? Maybe ‘Be careful what you wish for?’

  25. Craig Says:

    I am still firm on my belief Trask should get the job, by about week 4. Let Gabbert get us to 2-2, then chuck Trask in to see if he can fish. He has cut enough bait.

  26. HC Grover Says:

    The Bucconeer QB Follies keeps on keepin on. OK Carr… anybody. I am ready for some football no matter who is QB. No football til September. Arrrgh. Golf an fishin is not the same w/o some Sunday Football.

  27. Tye Says:

    All things being equal – Carr would be the Talent I would invest heavily in to be a great investment for present and near future…

    I wouldn’t waste a second with Watson…. Even if all the lawsuits were dropped or even proven false, before all that Watson publicly ranted about want a certain OC and when he did not get his way, he refused to play for the team… The Bucs do NOT need another quitter under contract… Watson’s career is going no where!

  28. Que5 Says:

    Carr to the Bucs. Garoppolo to the Raiders

  29. Marine Buc Says:

    @ DR

    One more question…

    Who fits Josh McDaniels system better?

    Tom Brady or D. Carr?

  30. ArgYeMaries Says:

    “Mark Alstott” 😂 I had forgot about that …but Chucky was so convincing.

  31. Defense Rules Says:

    Marine Buc … Since McDaniels worked with Brady for a bazillion years, I’m gonna guess Brady. However, the Raiders are a LOOONG way from being a SB contender. Stranger things have happened though.

  32. Adrnagy Says:

    Carr will stay. Hes adapted to that team. Mcdaniels will make the best of him come out.
    Brady only shot for his age is the bucs.
    Seahawks and packers will not trade their qb.

    We go with gabbert/ trask (depending on training camp) or jimmy but i doubt it base on his cap and ours.
    We can go teddy/ keenum/ brisett / taylor etc for chump change and keep godwin, cappa. Fournette and we win division. After that unknown.

  33. Adrnagy Says:

    It will be interesting if bucs pull a trade for d. Watson

    Trask. 1 rd.this year. 2 nd rd next year. For watson.

  34. allbuccedup Says:

    Carr is not going anywhere I say lets get Deshaun Watson trade away are first round picks for the next four years then he pulls out his Johnson at Mons Venus and suspended for two more years no thanks!

  35. sasquatch Says:

    At least one Joe apparently has no ethical objection to employing a dude with 22 sexual assault cases against him. Cuz, they must all be lying. What?

  36. Adrnagy Says:

    Mike evans on brady coming back … hes made his mind hes done.

  37. Winny Testaverde Says:

    Deshaun Watson is completely radioactive…a great talent…but was paid in full to stay in hiding this season. He’s simply not worth the risk. He may have masseuses continue to pop up and sue him for years to come.

  38. JimbobBucsFan Says:

    I would love to see Carr brought here somehow. I don’t want Watson because of his off-the-field baggage. I don’t want Rogers because of his on-the-field baggage. I’m not sure Murray is really so much better better than Gabbert considering his height.

  39. Anonymous Says:

    the problem with what brady has done is he’s now left the door ajar…

    so the bucs might just simply go with BA’s trusted number 2 guy…blaine gabor (son of zsa zsa gabor)…

    and keep the team as in tact as possible…

    and hope that brady decides he can’t take the retired life and comes back…

    the bucs might toss the season down the drain and into gabbert’s hands with the hope of tommy slinking back into the mix at any point…

    messy scenario

  40. Buc92’ Says:

    Deshaun Watson or Trask !

    GoBucs!

  41. adam from ny Says:

    the problem with what brady has done is he’s now left the door ajar…

    so the bucs might just simply go with BA’s trusted number 2 guy…blaine gabor (son of zsa zsa gabor)…

    and keep the team as in tact as possible…

    and hope that brady decides he can’t take the retired life and comes back…

    the bucs might toss the season down the drain and into gabbert’s hands with the hope of tommy slinking back into the mix at any point…

    messy scenario

  42. Bqen green Says:

    Ben’s people tell him Josh McDaniels took the job for one reason. They intend to be front and center in the Watson sweepstakes. From what Ben’s been hearing, the cases will be settled with no admission of wrongdoing. NDAs of course, and if criminal cases were pending, we would have heard about grand juries by now.

  43. Mike Johnson Says:

    Love to see Watson in a Bucs uniform. But thats not happening. I think Winston stays put. I do think Licht will make a play for Jimmy G in SF though. Maybe a 2nd and 3rd rder.

  44. Bqen green Says:

    Kyler Murray will be out of the league in six seasons Jimbob. He has all the stresses on his body a running back does, plus the mental anguish of the passing game. Wouldn’t want him long term if you paid the contract, which will be enormous.

  45. Pewter Power Says:

    So they trade carr and end up in our situation? That makes no sense unless the head coach feels he needs jimmy G to run his offense

  46. steele Says:

    Oakland, er, Las Vegas is the place where coaches and talented players go to get paid by “Mr. Davis” and not win. Oaktown, er, Vegas is the champion every offseason until seasons actually start. Then pain.

    McDaniels. I always thought he would take over when Belichick leaves, but Belichick never leaves. It’s still not clear how good a HC he can be. Whenever Kraft and BB heap praise on outgoing guys while making no effort to keep them, be suspicious.

    I expect McD to have marginal success making Carr slightly better, but he is who he is. Just doesn’t have the components to be great.

  47. steele Says:

    Every team is looking at the same problem. Rodgers, Wilson (and Cousins) cost a fortune. Rodgers, Wilson may not even leave.

    And that’s it for instant SB-hope QBs. No more.

    It’s a very steep dropoff from there, to Carr, Fitzmagic, Dalton, Jittery G.,Watson (if he isn’t in jail), Jameis, Bilgewater, etc. etc. Really, can anyone be excited about any of them?

    The only hope is with a creative scouting for the draft, and wicked poaching of overlooked QBs from other teams.

    I hope and believe that Brady is really done, exiting with class and dignity, and not just messing with everyone. That said…if he is messing and manipulating like a LeBron James mercenary, he sure would have leverage to demand what he wants. Because he is the best QB, even at his age, right now.

  48. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Well now, let’s think this through a second.

    First, take Watson off the table. I think we can all agree acquiring a QB only to have him suspended his first year here would be beyond stupid…especially since the price for him would plummet after he gets suspended.

    Second, we have a late first round pick, and most of us understand it is barely over the value of an early second round pick.

    Third, new coaches often want to pick their own guy at QB.

    Forth, if we offer our first round pick, the Raiders would probably take it.

    And finally, Carr’s age. He’ll be 31 next month. That means he has 5-10 years in his tank.

    This reminds me of when the Saints got Drew Brees. There were fans who said he was too old or washed up. The saints ended up getting a long term quality starter out of signing him.

    So, bottom line: what is getting a quality quarterback who can play maybe ten years for us worth?

    A late first rounder? Maybe a second or third added in?

    And we make it conditional to Carr signing a multiyear deal with us?

    We’d be fools not to at least make the offer.

  49. steele Says:

    Bqen, I agree with you on Kyler Murray. Which brings me to Malik Willis, who is getting so much hype, he could be the top QB taken in the draft.

    Willis is like Murray, but worse. Takes the snap and after one read or less, takes off running, running in circles in the backfield. Spectacular broken plays, wild passes, off the chart athleticism that doesn’t translate into NFL quarterbacking.
    These guys will suffer a big physical toll in the end.

  50. Joe Says:

    At least one Joe apparently has no ethical objection to employing a dude with 22 sexual assault cases against him. Cuz, they must all be lying. What?

    If the NFL lets him play, why not with the Bucs?

    Did you protest by boycotting the Super Bowl last year because Antonio Brown played?

  51. T REX Says:

    no…no…no

  52. CalBucsFan Says:

    Carr? Absolutely, I was hoping the Bucs would draft him that year.

    Watson? No way, there’s too much smoke to believe there was no fire.

  53. Rod Munch Says:

    Nothing beats Carr throwing the ball out of bounds on 4th and goal to end a game, because that’s what people do when they care more about their stat line than winning the game.

    Also, last year, Carr had 14 INTs, and 13 fumbles… in fact he’s lead the NFL in fumbles in 2 of the last 4 years.

    For those who claim to care so much about turnovers, it’s amazing how those same people are the ones lobbying for Carr, who’s 14 INTs last year came while playing in a very safe west coast offense. Put him in Arians offense, and you’re looking at 22-24 INTs, in addition to a dozen fumbles.

  54. Posey99 Says:

    If they really want to go get a Vet QB don’t mess around and go get Kurt Cousins. Rodgers isn’t realistic, Green Bay will throw the bank at him. Carr isn’t going to Tampa with the glazers shafting his buddy gruden. And I’d guess the glazers won’t ok watson with AB still fresh on their mind. Jimmy G maybe but Cousins is substantially better imo.

  55. Posey99 Says:

    Kirk* and that kinda sounds like a good name for a buccaneer! Captain Kirk

  56. New England Patriots Fan Says:

    My understanding Care would be traded for Brady’s rights. Brady under long time friend Josh would turn around Oakland for 1-2 seasons and try for a Super Bowl. If Brady is not traded there is zero chance Oakland trades Carr in a league with only 8 good QBs and a weak draft class. In today’s NFL a Carr, Cousins, and even a guy facing 22 sexual assaults allegations which he attempted to pay off already is still worth starting as the other 24 QBs are so bad or mediocre you can’t get it playoffs with them.

  57. New England Patriots Fan Says:

    Watson will cost 2 first and maybe a player, Carr will cost Brady’s rights. jimmy G a no2 pick, and Cousins prob a 1 and take over his contract. As Minnesota will be horrible without Cousins at QB and won’t find a replacement in free agency so will have to draft a QB and rebuild or start someone like Winston or Teddy or even a lower quality qb etc.

  58. New England Patriots Fan Says:

    As per Murray he is just sulking for a huge contract which Arizona will pay him as there are so few good QBs they can’t trade him and he’s close with coach and teammates. His trade value would be higher than Watson, as he has no legal issues and is younger and played recently. So he will just get paid 400m by Arizona probably. You know the NFL weak at QB when Browns right away stated they want Baker back same with Tannehill in Tennessee. NY is even staying with their QB. They know they likely cannot win with him, but still can’t move on as replacement costs for same level of play is so expensive or not on the market. Talent wise the best option is mortgage the franchise and get Watson, and accept your teams reputation will be tanked until he starts wining allot but know he might do something bad again. Or trade Brady’s rights for Jimmy or Carr.

  59. BucsFanFromSaintsLand Says:

    My choice!

  60. sasquatch Says:

    Joe Says:
    February 10th, 2022 at 10:23 pm

    If the NFL lets him play, why not with the Bucs?

    Because we’re allowed to have our own standards and a serial sexual predator ought to be off limits. What the NFL thinks, I don’t really care.

    Did you protest by boycotting the Super Bowl last year because Antonio Brown played?

    Did Antonio Brown have 22 sexual assault cases against him? Also, my boycott means nothing even if he did. The Watson question is about what we should do. I don’t think he should be a part of the team. If they do sign him, I’ll hope he behaves like a decent human being. And I still want them to win. But once it’s done, it’s out of my hands.

  61. steele Says:

    RodMunch, thank you, you nailed it re: Carr. Moments that live in infamy. In the Arians system, his INTs would get him benched quick. He needs to be where he is, in a system that’s safe(r) and protected.

    Posey99, Cousins is the right kind of plug and play straightforward QB who would fit, right now. But he would cost as much as Wilson and Rodgers. Something like two or three first round picks and more. Similar cap hit.

  62. Hodad Says:

    Blaine Gabbert, get used to it.

  63. 1sparkybuc Says:

    Build the team around Trask. We drafted him to play QB when Brady quit. Brady quit. Build the team. If Trask fails, at least we have a team that will attract FA QBs in 2023. Build the team.

  64. Eckwood Says:

    Care >Jimmy G …….. It’s not even close , then throw in Bruce s offense and Jimmy G drops another notch or two !!

  65. allbuccedup Says:

    If Gabbert starts we will be looking at a top 5 draft pick om 2023.

  66. allbuccedup Says:

    If Trask and Gabbert bomb out look at the bright side 2023 quarterback draft class is very good this years class stinks.