5 reasons why Derek Carr should be the top QB target for the NY Jets

2. Derek Carr is better than any NY Jets quarterback in decades

Beggars can't be choosers, and that much is true for the Jets this offseason. This is an organization that has quite literally been saddled with the worst quarterback in the NFL over the last decade-plus.

The Jets have ranked dead-last in both QBR and completion percentage in each of the last two seasons and, save for Ryan Fitzpatrick's fluke 2015 season, it's hard to remember the last time the Jets had a season of legitimately good quarterback play.

As Michael Nania of Jets X Factor notes, Carr has averaged 3,994 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions per season since 2015. Only one quarterback in Jets history has ever thrown from 3,900 yards and 25 touchdowns, Joe Namath, and he threw 28 interceptions that year.

Carr's average season is better than almost anything the Jets, as a franchise, have ever seen from the quarterback position. Even Carr at his worst is significantly better than anything the Jets have seen in recent years.

Carr would be a significant upgrade, much more so than many probably realize.

3. Derek Carr is the best realistic option for the NY Jets on the market

Lamar Jackson is obviously a pipedream. If the Jets could find a way to add the former MVP to their roster this offseason, there would be no debate about who the best option is. It would be Jackson, hands down.

Unfortunately, we're not talking about pipedreams. The Jets don't really have the luxury of chasing a big name like Jackson with no Plan B to fall back on. A pursuit of Jackson would likely take months and there's absolutely no guarantee he gets moved or that the Jets would be the top landing spot.

With Derek Carr, that wouldn't be a concern. Carr's 2023 salary and a portion of his 2024 salary become guaranteed three days after the Super Bowl. If and when he's traded/released it will happen next month.

The Jets don't have to worry about a bidding war for Jackson. They don't have to worry about convincing Tom Brady to return to the northeast or prying Aaron Rodgers and his massive contract away from the Green Bay Packers.

Of all the realistic options (Jimmy Garoppolo, Gardner Minshew, Jared Goff?, Ryan Tannehill?, etc.), Carr is the best of the bunch.