April 2, 2026, 10:21 a.m. CT<\/p>\n
Ouch. We still have to see how the 2026 NFL Draft plays out, but it’s beginning to look like there isn’t room for Derek Carr on the quarterback carousel. Las Vegas Raiders<\/a> head coach Klint Kubiak signed his former starting quarterback to help back up Fernando Mendoza, the widely-anticipated first overall pick — only it was Kirk Cousins, not Carr, going to the silver and black<\/a>. Even Carr’s former team wasn’t interested in trading with the Saints<\/a> to get him.<\/p>\n It makes sense the Raiders wouldn’t want to give up a draft pick and pay Carr’s salary when they could just sign Cousins and have the Atlanta Falcons pay part of his salary through offsets; he’s a relative bargain<\/a>, which is important for a QB2. You also have to think about the context in signing a quarterback who was benched by his last team versus bringing back the Raiders’ all-time passing leader. Even if Carr was vocally supportive of the rookie and accepting of his role<\/a> as a mentor, if Mendoza struggles, there’s going to be pressure to put No. 4 in the game. Kubiak’s experience with Cousins during three years together on the Minnesota Vikings<\/a> has to be a factor, too.<\/p>\n So where does this leave Carr? The worst-kept secret in the NFL for the past year was his eagerness to join the Minnesota Vikings and sweep aside J.J. McCarthy, but they shut that door by signing Kyler Murray. The New York Jets traded (with the Raiders, ironically) for Geno Smith, the Miami Dolphins signed Malik Willis, and the Indianapolis Colts paid Daniel Jones. With the Raiders expected to draft Mendoza and few other openings out there — would Carr really un-retire to suit up for the directionless Arizona Cardinals<\/a>? — it sure seems like the NFL has passed him by. Maybe things change after the draft, or closer to the November trade deadline.<\/p>\n