Extra Points: Derek Carr’s Impact on the QB Market, What to do with Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley, More

Derek Carr was in New Orleans on Wednesday to meet with the New Orleans Saints. A trade between the Saints and the Raiders for Carr likely hinges on Carr agreeing to a re-structured contract with the Saints. If Carr declines, he’ll likely become a free agent next week.

What will his market look like, and how will it affect the middle-tier quarterback market this offseason? We discuss that, what to do with Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley, and more in this week’s Extra Points column:

  • How will Derek Carr’s contract affect the middle-tier QB market?
  • What to do with Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley in New York
  • No one wants to coach Kyler Murray, apparently …
  • The 49ers will roll the dice with Brock Purdy and Trey Lance in 2023
  • Have an opinion on these topics? Drop into the comments section and let me know what you think about this week’s subjects.

    How will Derek Carr’s contract affect the middle-tier QB market?

    A trade of Derek Carr will only happen if he agrees to a contract restructure. Or, in more matter-of-fact terms, a pay cut.

    Let’s be realistic here for a second. The Raiders told Carr that he’s not good enough to win a Super Bowl, in essence. So do we really think he’s going to have another team tell him, well, we like you, but not that much, and take a pay cut?

    Seems unlikely to me.

    Carr’s next option is to decline a trade and force the Raiders to cut him next week. At which point, I think we will see the middle-tier quarterback market reset. The Raiders are moving on from Carr because he was owed $40.5 million on February 15.

    Carr isn’t a $40 million quarterback. The Raiders know it. The Saints likely know it. And so does everyone else in the league. So when a guy like Carr sees his market crater, the rest of the league will view the NFL’s mid-tier quarterbacks differently.

    At least, that’s my belief at this point.

    What to do with Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley in New York

    My takeaways from the Giants end-of-season media availability were this:

    1. Joe Schoen is all-in on Daniel Jones
    2. Not so much Saquon Barkley

    An extension for Daniel Jones will be priority No. 1 for the Giants. However, since they declined his fifth-year option last year, he can walk as a free agent. Unless they franchise tag him and take the extension discussions up to training camp.

    But what about Barkley?

    At this point, I think franchise-tagging Barkley and using the extra time to work out an extension makes more sense for the Giants. In that scenario, they would also try to sign Daniel Jones to a shorter-term deal with a higher AAV and hope Jones values Brian Daboll’s role in his development and breakout season.

    That also leaves the Giants some maneuverability if they feel like Daboll can’t get more out of Jones after next season. Jones has improved each season and was markedly improved this season, but still not a top-tier quarterback.

    And pointing to the Derek Carr topic, I think we’re due for an adjustment in what quarterbacks outside the top tier are making. Does anyone believe that Daniel Jones is a $40 million-a-year quarterback? I certainly don’t. I don’t think the Giants do, either.

    No one wants to coach Kyler Murray, apparently …

    Things are bad when people turn down one of the world’s 32 NFL head coaching jobs. Well, that’s the situation in Arizona right now.

    Even Brian Flores — who sued the NFL for their hiring practices regarding minority coaching candidates last year — was reportedly a finalist for the Cardinals job. Less than 24 hours after that report, Flores took the DC job in Minnesota.

    Yikes.

    So, if the reporting out there is true, Flores took a coordinator job over the Cardinals head coaching job. Which makes sense, because apparently, no one wants to coach Kyler Murray.

    Last week, we learned that the Cardinals’ head coach search was slowed by candidates’ concerns over being tethered to Murray and his recently signed extension.

    Suppose I’m new Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort. In that case, I’m working the phones to find a way to trade Murray to a team that is desperate enough to believe they can either 1) win now with what they have around the quarterback situation or 2) somehow get through to Murray.

    The Cardinals have the third pick in the draft and can draft a quarterback to replace Murray. They’ll get picks back for Murray, and they have $14.4 million in cap space before any cuts. But, of course, it might be too late in the hiring process to even matter to a potential hire that would be an option.

    The 49ers will roll the dice with Brock Purdy and Trey Lance in 2023

    The San Francisco 49ers went into the 2022 season with Trey Lance as the starting quarterback. John Lynch hedged that decision by keeping Jimmy Garoppolo in the fold for one more season. Still, it took the 49ers a stroke of luck with Brock Purdy’s emergence to get to the NFC Championship game after Lance and Garoppolo were lost for the season.

    The 49ers have now been to and lost back-to-back NFC title games. With a roster constructed to win now, it’s fair to wonder if the Purdy-Lance combination will be the plan for San Francisco in 2023.

    You could have convinced me a week ago that Tom Brady could join his hometown team for one more run at Super Bowl No. 8. If Brady had another season in him, he would have easily been the better immediate option for the 49ers. Heck, he probably would have made them a legitimate Super Bowl favorite.

    But with Brady out of the picture and the quarterback market down one major player, I can’t see San Francisco searching for a “Plan A” externally this offseason.

    It’s more likely that Purdy (being the starter) and Lance (being the backup) are Plan A in 2023. And Plan B comes in the form of an affordable veteran backup this year.

    Jacoby Brissett, Taylor Heinicke, and Mike White are free agents to be that immediately come to mind as potential fits.

    While the concern is valid, I think that San Francisco is rolling with Purdy and Lance next season.

    written by

    Patrick grew up in Chicago's Bridgeport and Garfield Ridge neighborhoods before moving to the Western Suburbs of Chicago before eventually relocating to the Las Vegas area with his family in 2023. He started with Bleacher Nation in 2021 and has spent time as a Staff Writer and on the Chicago Blackhawks beat. He is currently a writer and editor at Bleacher Nation covering the Chicago Bears and the NFL at large and the author of the Bleacher Nation Newsletter. Patrick is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).

    more nfl news

    Arizona Cardinals Big Board: Potential First-Round Fits

    The Arizona Cardinals are coming off a tough season that saw plenty of losses. Just like any rebuilding team though, there are reasons to be hopeful. New head coach Jonathan Gannon seems to be well liked by the team. He...

    Baltimore Ravens 7-Round Mock Draft

    The NFL Draft is right around the corner, and we're putting together a Baltimore Ravens 7-Round Mock Draft today. Baltimore Ravens 7-Round Mock Draft Round 1, Pick 30: WR Roman Wilson, Michigan Lamar Jackson is the reigning AP and PFWA...

    Atlanta Falcons 7-Round Mock Draft

    The NFL Draft is right around the corner, and we're putting together an Atlanta Falcons 7-Round Mock Draft today. The Falcons have seven picks in the 2024 NFL Draft and will be looking to fill out their roster around new...

    Arizona Cardinals 7-Round Mock Draft

    The NFL Draft is right around the corner, and we're putting together an Arizona Cardinals 7-Round Mock Draft today. The Cardinals have 11 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, including two first-round picks and three third-round picks, giving them plenty...

    Falcons Send Desmond Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals for Another Wide Receiver

    The Atlanta Falcons have been doing everything right this week. On Monday, they solved their quarterback problem by signing Kirk Cousins, making Desmond Ridder expendable. Today, Atlanta traded Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals for another wide receiver, Rondale Moore. Atlanta...

    NFL Free Agency Winners & Losers: Texans Among the Big Winners; Cowboys Go MIA, More

    While NFL free agency isn't "over," most teams around the league have completed the brunt of the heavy lifting. So, let's discuss some NFL free agency winners and losers.  NFL Free Agency Winners and Losers NFL Free Agency Winners Vikings...

    Mike Williams Landing Spots in 2024: Patriots, Chiefs, and Giants Among Best Fits

    In a move many didn't see coming, the Los Angeles Chargers released wide receiver Mike Williams on Wednesday, March 13th, saving a whopping $20 million against their salary cap. He's now free to test out the NFL waters to determine...

    NFL Free Agency Tracker: Live Updates, Rumors, Signings and Trades

    As the clock ticks down to the start of the 2024 NFL Free Agency period, football fans eagerly await the flurry of activity set to unfold in the coming days. Stay up to date with our live NFL Free Agency...

    Derrick Henry Signs with the Baltimore Ravens

    According to multiple reports, Derrick Henry has agreed to a two-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens. Henry confirmed the news by posting on social media that he is excited to join "Flock Nation." Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports Derrick Henry's contract...

    The Panthers are Trading Brian Burns to the New York Giants

    The Carolina Panthers are sending star pass rusher Brian Burns to the New York Giants in a trade this afternoon. Ian Rapoport confirmed the trade and extension for Burns, but local Panthers beat reporter Sheena Quick was the first to...

    Latest News

    Canucks vs. Sabres Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The Vancouver Canucks are -205 on the moneyline against the Buffalo Sabres (+170) on Tuesday, with this game taking place at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.Canucks vs. Sabres Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Canucks (-205)Underdog: Sabres (+170)Total: 6.5Best Canucks vs. Sabres Promo Codes[lasso...

    OH MY: ANTHONY EDWARDS JUST HAD THE BEST DUNK OF THE YEAR

    Anthony Edwards has done it again. The emerging Minnesota Timberwolves superstar jammed the most impressive poster dunk of the season against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. Pushing the pace in transition during the third quarter, Edwards passed the ball...

    De’Aaron Fox Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point prop, De'Aaron Fox must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies, tipping off at 10:00 PM ET.De'Aaron Fox's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesDe'Aaron Fox's over/under for...

    Malik Monk Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

    Will Malik Monk make three 3-pointers when the Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday at 10:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Malik Monk's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesMalik Monk's over/under for three-pointers...

    Bogdan Bogdanovic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

    At 10:30 PM ET on Monday, it'll be the Atlanta Hawks against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Bogdan Bogdanovic needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Bogdan Bogdanovic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersBogdan Bogdanovic's over/under for three-pointers in this...

    Anthony Davis Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

    The Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks at 10:30 PM ET on Monday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this clash requires just one make from Anthony Davis.Anthony Davis' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksAnthony Davis' over/under...

    Dejounte Murray Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point over/under, Dejounte Murray must make four from downtown on Monday, when his Atlanta Hawks face the Los Angeles Lakers, tipping off at 10:30 PM ET.Dejounte Murray's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersDejounte Murray's over/under for three-pointers...

    D’Angelo Russell Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point over/under, D'Angelo Russell must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Los Angeles Lakers play the Atlanta Hawks, starting at 10:30 PM ET.D'Angelo Russell's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksD'Angelo Russell's over/under for...

    LeBron James Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point over/under, LeBron James needs to make three from downtown on Monday, when his Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks on Monday at 10:30 PM ET.LeBron James' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksLeBron James' over/under for...

    Finally, a Team Wanted the Reigning NL Cy Young Winner

    The rumors all wound up being true: Blake Snell would take a two-year deal in the $60 million range, the Giants were probably the favorites now, and the pressure was on to get something done. Per Jon Heyman, it two...

    more nfl news