Who Should I Start? Derek Carr or Lamar Jackson

Friday, June 6, 12:23 PM

Former New Orleans Saints and Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (shoulder) made a surprising decision to hang up his cleats and retire from the NFL this offseason. "That part was tough because I didn't want to have surgery and just sit there and it sounds crazy but just take the Saints money," Carr said. He had two seasons left on the four-year, $150 million deal he signed with the Saints in 2023, although he gave up the $30 million salary he was set to earn in 2025. The four-time Pro Bowler was dealing with a right-shoulder injury that was going to require surgery and leave his availability uncertain for the start of the regular season this fall. Carr said the Saints wanted him to keep playing, but he couldn't commit to another season. With Carr now gone, the Saints will have a QB competition this summer, primarily between rookie second-rounder Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler.

Monday, December 29, 4:30 PM

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is under contract through the 2027 season, but a prominent NFL agent said on Sunday that "the biggest story of the offseason is going to be Lamar. That is going to be crazy." Head coach John Harbaugh has downplayed stories suggesting that his relationship with Jackson has been strained amid a disappointing season for the two-time MVP QB. Jackson and Baltimore have been in this position before, but after a lengthy contract negotiation and a trade request from Jackson, the two sides agreed to a five-year, $260 million extension in April of 2023. "The fact that Lamar does not have an agent is really a big negative," an NFL team executive said. When he's been at his best (and healthy), Jackson has been elite at the QB position, but outside of two seasons, the dual-threat QB hasn't been consistently great. With a lengthy injury history, too, it makes sense as to why Baltimore might consider trading Jackson this offseason.