ESPN Staff5 minutes to read
Stephen A is not impressed with Saints signing Derek Carr
says Stephen A. Smith said Derek Carr has yet to show he deserves the hype after agreeing to a deal with the New Orleans Saints.
This offseason free agency will feature a handful of top-notch quarterbacks, including Lamar Jackson, Geno Smith, Daniel Jones — though a few may have a franchise tag before the deadline (Tuesdays at 4 p.m. ET), and Derek Carr. Already found a new home. The free agent class is also loaded with game-changing running backs (Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard) and playmakers on defense (Javon Hargrave, Jordan Boyer and James Bradbury).
How much excitement are you waiting for at Deadline? Which teams will be the most active? Who will be the next superstar to sign with a new team? And which player in the open market will be the next to break the bank with a huge new contract? Catch up on everything here throughout the month of March, with the latest updates at the top.
See more: NFL Free Agency
Monday, March 6th
Former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr will sign with the New Orleans Saints, sources told ESPN’s Dianna Russini on Monday. The Saints, who finished 7-10 last season, were among three teams, including the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, who pursued Carr for several weeks after the Raiders let the veteran quarterback talk to the teams to facilitate a trade.
The Rams are expected to release outside linebacker Leonard Floyd if they can’t initiate him first, league sources tell ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Floyd hit a $22 million cap in 2023. If the Rams cut it before June 1, they’ll be racking up $19 million in dead money in 2023 and saving just $3 million in salary cap space.
The Minnesota Vikings released veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks on Monday as they worked towards the salary cap. Kendricks, 31, spent all eight seasons of his NFL career with the Vikings, who selected him in the second round of the 2015 draft. Last season, he started all 17 games and finished with 137 tackles to lead the team.
Sunday, March 5th
We asked ESPN NFL Insiders Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler to empty out their notebooks from their week in Indianapolis. They’ve hit the quarterback market — including the latest in Derek Carr, Daniel Jones, Geno Smith, Lamar Jackson, and Aaron Rodgers — who are sleepers, free agents, and some risers.
New York Jets left facing Duane Brown, 37, who was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and recently had surgery to repair a torn left rotator cuff, has decided to return for his 17th season, his agent, Kennard McGuire, told ESPN Sunday.
Top news from the past week
League sources confirmed to ESPN on Saturday that the New England Patriots have informed veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer of their intention to release him before free agency begins.
The Las Vegas Raiders plan to use the franchise tag on NFL running back Josh Jacobs for the 2023 season, sources confirmed to ESPN Friday. The franchise fee for running backs for the 2023 season is $10.09 million.
At the end of the season, Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric D’Costa said, “It takes two people to tango” when asked about the chances of completing a deal with quarterback Lamar Jackson this year. Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell said this week that Jackson is a willing dance partner.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to tag the franchise in tight end Evan Ingram, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Thursday. The franchise’s tight end mark is $11.345 million.
Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco on Wednesday ended speculation that the organization could move on from 10-year veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen.
“Kenan Allen isn’t going anywhere,” Telesco told reporters at the NFL Scouting Association in Indianapolis.
The Cincinnati Bengals have flatly let the rest of the NFL know that wide receiver Tee Higgins isn’t on the trading block.
During his annual session at the NFL Scouting Association, team CEO Duke Tobin dismissed any idea that the team might be interested in shopping this outstanding receiver out of the season. The team’s longtime manager of players said no offers were made, and if they did, trading Higgins wasn’t an idea.
The New York Giants are “cautiously optimistic” that they can reach long-term deals with quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley, both of whom are set to become free agents and also candidates for the franchise tag. Barkley’s future remains uncertain, but Giants general manager Joe Schoen reiterated on Tuesday that Jones will return in some capacity — whether under a new deal or the tag.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers plan to release Leonard Fournette, a major contributor to their Super Bowl LV win. A source told ESPN that the move will happen before the start of the new league year on March 15.
The Atlanta Falcons released quarterback Marcus Mariota Tuesday, in a move to free up salary cap space and move on from a player who lost his starting position.
The Washington Chiefs released quarterback Carson Wentz in a move that had been expected for a long time. The move saves Washington $26.176 million on the salary cap this offseason. Wentz had two years remaining on his contract but no guaranteed money.