Derek Carr wants to sign with the NY Jets over the Saints and Panthers

Justin Fried

NY Jets, Derek Carr / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The NY Jets will very likely find out who their quarterback is going to be this week, and if Derek Carr has his way, it'll be him.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday night that Carr "has a slight lean toward the Jets" as he weighs his options. Fowler indicated that the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints "remain in the conversation," but if Carr has a choice, it would be the Jets.

The Jets continue to await a decision from Aaron Rodgers as the future Hall of Fame quarterback ponders his NFL future. Rodgers remains the Jets' top choice, but Carr appears to be a great fit.

The Jets reportedly left a strong "impression" on Carr during their meeting a couple of weeks ago. The four-time Pro Bowler "hit it off" with head coach Robert Saleh and came away convinced that the Jets would be a great landing spot.

All of a sudden, the Jets are sitting pretty in the quarterback market. The Jets are Carr's top choice and the only possible external landing spot for Rodgers.

How long can Derek Carr wait on the NY Jets?

Carr has indicated that he's willing to wait for the Jets as they anticipate Rodgers' decision, but how long is he realistically willing to delay his own decision? That remains unclear.

Carr wants to sign with a team before free agency unofficially begins next Monday. Rodgers has also implied that he would like to make a decision before free agency, but if he doesn't make up his mind soon, the Jets will be faced with a very difficult situation.

This report could also be read as Carr's camp putting pressure on the Jets. It could be their way of saying "hey, we want the Jets, but we can't wait forever." Carr knows he's the Jets' second option, but he's been very amicable to this point. That might not last forever, though.

It's not an overstatement to suggest that this coming week will be one of the most important in franchise history. The decision the Jets make this week will shape the future of the organization and determine the team's upcoming window for success.

Derek Carr wants the Jets, but the Jets aren't ready to commit just yet.

Justin Fried

Justin Fried is an editor for FanSided who has over seven years of experience covering the NFL and various other sports. A diehard Jets fan since birth, Justin has served as the editor for The Jet Press since 2019, interviewing athletes such as Sauce Gardner, Curtis Martin, LaDainian Tomlinson, Joe Klecko, and many others. Justin has also worked closely with brands like Red Bull to help highlight the niche sectors of the sporting world. His four-part series on the sport of breaking remains one of his proudest pieces of work. In his spare time, Justin is an avid pro wrestling fan who is fortunate enough to have traveled to nearly 30 different countries.