The New York Jets are going to unturn every stone in the pursuit of a quarterback that can get Aaron Glenn to his third season as head coach, which may lead them to a previously unheard of pursuit of former Las Vegas Raiders Pro Bowler Derek Carr.
Carr is reportedly willing to come out of retirement and play for the right coaching staff and situation. Even though he is still under contract with the New Orleans Saints, Carr may end up looking at the Jets with more interest after they finalized their offensive coaching staff.
Just days after agreeing to hire Frank Reich to be their next offensive coordinator, the Jets finalized the rest of their offensive coaching staff. Perhaps the most noteworthy name on the initial list of assistants is quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave, who spent the last three years with the Cleveland Browns.
Musgrave was the offensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders in the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Perhaps not coincidentally, these were the two seasons in which Carr had his best performances. Linking back up with Musgrave could be ideal for Carr, and he would give the Jets an immediate upgrade under center.
Jets may try to woo Derek Carr after Bill Musgrave hire
Carr, who will turn 35 in March, will need to be traded for if New York wants to acquire him. Even though Carr is an older player fresh off a serious shoulder injury, the Jets may need to give up a Day 3 pick of some value if they want to bring him in.
In his last fully healthy season, Carr went 5-5 with the Saints, throwing for 15 touchdowns against five interceptions. Carr finished with 40 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in two seasons with the Saints, and those numbers would qualify him for Hall of Fame induction as a Jet.
Carr would have a quality offensive line if he comes to the Jets, which will likely be at or near the top of the list in terms of factors he wants to have in his next destination. With some solid receivers and a coach he clearly plays well for, New York may be a spot Carr enjoys.
The Jets tried to land Carr in the past before he went to New Orleans and led them into the Aaron Rodgers dark age. They could get him on the second go-around, and the offensive infrastructure may be better this time around.