Who Should I Start? Derek Carr or Sean Mannion

Friday, May 16, 12:31 PM

Everyone concedes that quarterback Derek Carr (shoulder) was dealing with a torn right labrum and "significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff," but not everyone believes it's the full story of why he abruptly retired, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Katherine Terrell. Just before free agency in early March, word began to spread within league circles that Carr, who was heading into the third year of a four-year, $150 million contract, was open to playing elsewhere. According to three league sources, one of his representatives spoke with at least two teams in the market for a QB about potential interest in Carr. A team source said Carr had a close kinship with last season's coaches in New Orleans, who are all now gone, and the Saints' plan to restructure his contract was another potential source of friction. New head coach Kellen Moore never fully committed to Carr being the starter in 2025, either, before learning of his shoulder injury. It sounds as though in addition to his shoulder injury, Carr knew 2025 was going to be his last with the Saints, and rather than trying to figure out a plan to play elsewhere, he decided to hang up his cleats.

Monday, December 18, 6:04 PM

The Seattle Seahawks elevated quarterback Sean Mannion from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster on Monday, a sign that starter Geno Smith (groin) will be inactive on Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles. Smith was listed as questionable on the team's final Week 15 injury report with a groin injury and was considered a long shot on Monday morning to play. Mannion would give the Seahawks more QB depth behind Drew Lock, who is trending toward making his second straight start with Smith hurting. Fantasy managers that rolled the dice on Smith are probably going to have to pick up and start Lock unless they have another backup signal-caller already on their roster. Lock could actually be a decent emergency streaming option against an Eagles defense that has been generous to opposing QBs and receivers. They're also missing star cornerback Darius Slay (knee).