Five Options The Raiders Could Pursue To Replace Derek Carr

It hasn't been a good final season in the Bay Area for the soon-to-be Las Vegas Raiders. After a huge 17-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 17, the Raiders held their own playoff destiny. With a favorable schedule to close out the season, only a complete collapse could've kept the Raiders out of the postseason and — unfortunately — under quarterback Derek Carr, collapse they did. Since the narrow win over the Bengals, the Silver and Black have lost four straight, all but ending their bid for a final playoff run in the last season in O*kland. To make matters worse, the team was booed off the field in its final game at O*kland-Alameda County Coliseum. While the team's defense has been an issue all season, the final stretch run for quarterback Carr has been just as troubling. Defending Carr's performance has become a regular job for most writers. Now, as the season comes to a close, rumors of a rift between head coach Jon Gruden and Carr have emerged, potentially signaling an end to the signal caller's time with the Raiders. If this is the case (Carr is due more than $63 million over the next three season), the Raiders could look to move on from Carr via trade or free agency. With that in mind, here are five potential replacements for Carr, including one very possible scenario that makes sense for the Raiders and an old trade partner.

5. Teddy Bridgewater

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9uoBpnyUZs After filling in for future Hall of Famer Drew Brees, Bridgewater took the reins and won all five of his starts for the New Orleans Saints, including tough road games with the Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears. His play was efficient and the former first round draft pick excelled against some serious defenses. Brees probably has a few more seasons left in him, so it's not out of the question Bridgewater signs elsewhere in the offseason when his contract is up. Both Brees and Bridgewater are headed for unrestricted free agency in March 2020. What kind of contract can Bridgewater earn on the open market? Starting quarterbacks have seen their salaries climb in recent years just by virtue of being the latest qualifier to get paid, rather than actually being the best player at their position. It’s why the Los Angeles Rams justified paying mediocre QB Jared Goff to a contract averaging $33.5 million per year, and why the Philadelphia Eagles inked Carson Wentz to a $32 million a year deal. In his time running the Saints' offense over five games, Bridgewater finished with a passer rating of 103.7 and should have a larger market this offseason. It also sounds like Bridgewater enjoys being a Saint, so the Raiders may have to open up the pocketbook to lure him away from The Big Easy. If they Raiders move in this direction, they'll get a mobile and consistent signal caller with a first round pedigree for much less than Carr.

4. Marcus Mariota

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUggbdwii7Q According to ESPN's Bill Barnwell, "in a make-or-break year for the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 draft, Mariota collapsed. The former Oregon star continued to mix flashes of impressive play with conservative decision-making and bucketloads of sacks, as he was taken down on a staggering 13.6% of dropbacks before being benched for Tannehill. With Tannehill leading the Titans to five wins in his first six starts, Mariota is clearly on the outs. It would likely take an injury to Tannehill and a deep playoff run from Mariota to get the Titans to bring back their former starter for another season. Given that both the coach and general manager who initially drafted Mariota are long gone in Tennessee, there's nothing tying the organization to Mariota. With his fifth-year option expiring at the end of the season, Mariota's future almost surely lies elsewhere." Mariota will hit the open market this offseason and, for what looks to be a nice "prove-it" discount, the Raiders could secure him for a low cost experimental signing. The Bears have been linked to him to thanks to their offensive coordinator, Mark Helfrich, and his ties to Mariota, but the Bears have bigger issues to deal with on the offensive side of the ball when it comes to revamping their failed run game.

3. Jameis Winston

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvhxZqn7L6A Talk about a frustrating yet gifted quarterback. Winston has shown flashes of absolute brilliance followed by moments of absolute dogsh*t play. He started the season by throwing two pick-sixes against the 49ers, followed that with a four-game stretch with just two picks and a passer rating of 111.6, before promptly throwing 15 interceptions over his next six games. He struggles protecting the football and the only other player this season with more than 22 combined fumbles and interceptions is New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (26). His average third-down pass attempt comes with 8.3 yards to go, one of the league's highest marks. The expected completion percentage on his passes per NFL Next Gen Stats is a league-low 60.4%. One can imagine him driving Raiders fans nuts, unless Gruden can reel in his talent and use it for good, instead of turnovers. Consistency is tough, but his mobility and rocket arm are so appealing. The problem is, he won't have the same elite weapons with the Raiders as he does in Tampa Bay. It seems pretty likely he'll sign a multiyear deal with the Buccaneers to keep him around for 2020 with no guaranteed money. Still, his talent is hard to deny. This could be an interesting move but one with intrigue and plenty of question marks.

2. Cam Newton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJRA0_Sc3ww The biggest name this offseason at the quarterback position is the 2015 MVP and three-time Pro Bowler. When Newton is good, there aren't many QBs in the league much better. His MVP season was one of the best over the last decade and his flair for the dramatic is as entertaining as any player the Raiders have ever had under center. Thanks to injury and some bad timing, Newton was benched and shut down for the season in favor of rookie quarterback Kyle Allen. The Panthers, who recently fired their head coach, will be rebuilding under a new regime and should to trade Newton during the offseason if they receive a "large deal," according to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Raiders have a few extra picks sitting around thanks to the Khalil Mack trade with Chicago. Perhaps one first rounder and a second or third rounder might do the trick, but it sounds like the Carolina Panthers could follow the previous blueprint used by the Kansas City Chiefs, who traded Alex Smith two years ago for a third-rounder and starting cornerback Kendall Fuller, or the Denver Broncos, who traded for Joe Flacco in exchange for a fourth-rounder. Newton will undergo surgery for a Lisfranc injury to his foot this week. He has not played since Week 2 due to the injury. Newton hopes to be fully able and ready to play by March. The former No. 1 overall pick is owed $18.6 million in 2020 and will be a free agent in 2021 barring a contract extension. As Carolina's starting quarterback since 2011, he's posted a 68–55–1 record, leading the Panthers to the playoffs four times. Newton and the Panthers reached Super Bowl 50 in 2015 before eventually losing to the Broncos. The Auburn product is the Panthers' franchise leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns and rushing touchdowns. The trade is risky because of Newton's questionable health the last few years but a healthy Cam is a force to be reckoned with and could come at a lessor cost than hanging on to Derek Carr. Also, $2.9 million of Carr's 2020 salary fully guarantees on the 3rd waiver period (2/5/2020) so the Raiders could cut Carr then trade for Newton. Might be a situation to keep an eye on.

1. Mitchell Trubisky

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrB3C5J_HvA Speaking of the Chicago Bears...I know, I know. It sounds a bit crazy, but this isn't the first time a potential Carr-for-Trubisky trade proposal has been thrown out there. In fact, it makes a ton of sense for the Raiders AND the Chicago Bears. According to insider and Pro Football Talk host Mike Florio on The Pat McAfee show, this is a legit possibility. "Well, I think Derek Carr is not going to be the quarterback of the team next year," Florio said. "I think they seriously considered finding another quarterback this year. Mike Mayock, the GM of the team, basically said so when explaining why they kicked the tires on Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins before the draft. "If you find the right quarterback, you got to take him. You got to do what's right for the team. I just don't think Jon Gruden and Derek Carr was ever a good fit. I think they tried to make it a fit. I don't think it works and I think they're going to look for whatever's out there." Oakland will have two 1st round picks, putting them in a great position to go after a QB of their choice either in the draft or via trade. For a team like the Bears, it would be hard not to have some interest in Carr and, for the Raiders looking to rebuild at the QB position, a one-year marriage between Trubisky and Gruden makes sense, especially for what will be a fifth-year rookie contract ($9,237,591 cap hit compared to Carr's $21,500,000). Worst case, you give Trubisky a season to perhaps develop under a superior quarterback developer like Gruden while also bringing in a rookie to compete. Both come cheap and the salary savings by trading Carr to the Bears would allow Gruden to make needed repairs elsewhere. If Trubisky flops (mind you, he has just as many division titles and has played in more playoff games than Carr in his short career — one), you can move on without any major hits and begin with your draft pick who has had a year to learn as a backup. I mean, mock Trubisky all you want, but his postseason boxscore doesn't look like this: It's a possibility, especially how athletic Trubisky is and how Gruden loves passionate quarterbacks who play the game with joy and intensity. Trubisky has struggled under Bears coach Matt Nagy's erratic playcalling and a coach like Gruden is more than capable of crafting his offense around one of the league's most mobile quarterbacks. Don't be shocked if this is a deal that gets some looks this offseason.