Derek Carr and the 3 most realistic QB options for the NY Jets in 2023

2. The NY Jets sign/trade for Derek Carr

This scenario just became a lot more feasible following the Las Vegas Raiders' decision to bench Derek Carr this past week. The move effectively ended Carr's time with the Raiders and ensured that the two sides would be parting ways this offseason.

It's a move that's been a long time coming, but it wasn't confirmed until this past week. Now, Carr will almost definitely be looking for a new home in 2023, and the Jets figure to be near the top of his list of potential suitors.

The Raiders now have two options; they can either outright release Carr or attempt to trade him. The former is the easiest and safest option while the latter requires a workaround and a bit of trust.

The Raiders would be on the hook for $40.4 million if Carr was on their roster past the third day of the 2023 waiver period. Any "trades" agreed to don't become official until the start of the new league year in March.

That means the Raiders can agree to trade Carr to a new team and avoid his guaranteed money kicking in, but if the deal were to fall through prior to the start of the new league year, they'd, for lack of a better phrase, be screwed. They'd be on the hook for Carr's $40.4 million in guarantees.

That's why it seems increasingly likely that the Raiders just outright release Carr, which makes him an even more appealing option for the Jets.

They wouldn't have to surrender assets in a trade nor would they have to take on Carr's remaining salary. That makes him a much more feasible target.

Expect the Jets to be heavily involved in Carr's market this offseason and maybe, just maybe, he ends up as the team's starting quarterback in 2023.