New Orleans Saints Recruits QB Derek Carr, Likely Favorites in Rebalanced NFC South Division
The New Orleans Saints are now the preferred bet to conquer the NFC South and their Super Bowl odds have improved following their agreement to sign free-agent quarterback Derek Carr on a four-year contract.
Before the deal, the Saints had +5000 odds to win Super Bowl LVIII, but sports betting companies like DraftKings changed their NFL championship futures to +3500 after they brought on Carr. In Western Conference odds, the Saints climbed up the betting board to the eighth spot at +1500 odds.
With Carr's arrival, the Saints have become the frontrunners to claim the NFC South at +140 odds in divisional betting.
The Las Vegas Raiders decided to cut ties with Carr, who had been their starting quarterback for nine seasons. The Raiders were speculated to bring in Jimmy Garoppolo or trade for Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers. With Carr spearheading an exit from Sin City after his relations with management soured last season, it was clear the decision was pending.
Carr had previous discussions with the Saints, but the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and Tampa Bay Bucs also wanted his services.
Saints Top Wide-Open NFC South
The Saints ended the 2022 season with a 7-10 record and failed to make the playoffs. Quarterback Jameis Winston recovered from an ACL injury and reconstructive knee surgery, but only appeared in three games due to a fractured back. In his three starts, the Saints were 1-2.
Backup quarterback Andy Dalton stepped in as the starter for the Saints, finishing with a 6-8 record in 14 games.
Despite the turbulent season in 2022, the Saints had the chance to win the division well into December. The NFC South was the league's weakest division last season, including four teams with losing records. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers secured a playoff spot with an 8-9 record, while the Saints finished third in their division.
Quarterback Tom Brady resigned, leaving the Bucs without a starting quarterback. As the Bucs rally without Brady on the field, the NFC South is a dynamic field.
The Saints stand alone as the betting favorite at +140 odds to win the NFC South, ahead of the Carolina Panthers (+240), the Bucs (+390), and the Atlanta Falcons (+450)
The Panthers may move higher in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft by acquiring the #1 pick in a trade with the Chicago Bears. A plethora of teams are seeking a quarterback and are engaging in trade discussions for the #1 pick, aiming to draft Alabama’s Bryce Young.
Carr Failed to Achieve Playoff Victories
Carr compiled a 6-9 record as a starter with the Raiders last season and was pulled in the last two games. He appeared in 142 games with the Raiders, going 63-79 as a starter.
In 2022, Carr finished with dismal numbers, completing 60.8% of his passes for 3,522 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. His 55.5 QBR rating ranked 14th in the league.
Over his nine-year career, Carr completed 64.6% of his passes for 217 touchdowns and 99 interceptions. He also totaled six rushing touchdowns.
Carr was winless in his sole playoff appearance. The Raiders made the playoffs twice during Carr's tenure, but he was sidelined late in 2016 and didn't play in the AFC wild card game that year. In the 2021 AFC wild card, the Raiders ended the season with a 10-7 record but lost to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Carr maintains a close bond with Saints head coach Dennis Allen. When Allen was the coach of the then-Oakland Raiders, he advocated for the Raiders to draft Carr. They selected him with a second-round pick as the 36th overall player in the 2014 NFL Draft, and Allen made the decision to start Carr as a rookie.
Winston still has a contract with the Saints, but the team is expected to cut him to save salary cap space.
Carr Out, Jets Pursuing Rodgers?
The Jets recently held positive talks with Carr. Over the weekend, Carr's representative hinted at signing with the Jets. However, Carr opted for the Saints on Monday.
The Jets are currently pursuing future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is still contemplating his contentious relationship with Green Bay. Rodgers emerged from a darkness retreat last week following the season's end, but has yet to decide whether he will remain with the Packers, retire, or request a trade.
The Packers hinted that they will not trade Rodgers to an NFC team, making AFC squads such as the Jets, Raiders, and Tennessee Titans likely candidates for Rodgers in a trade.
With Carr out of the equation, the Jets will increase their pursuit of Rodgers. Already employing Rodgers' former offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett, they hope to attract him to the team.
If, by some chance, Rodgers stays with the Packers or retires, the Jets will make a desperate attempt to sign Garoppolo. Multiple teams are interested in Garoppolo, including the Raiders, Bucs, Panthers, and Washington Commanders.
