Best Quarterback Available (Free Agency)
Smith’s biggest argument for the Giants attempting to deal for Carr, is that there are no better quarterbacks that will be available. To that point, Smith could be right.
Despite a down year in 2018, Carr threw for 4,049 yards and a 19-10 TD/INT ratio. He was fifth in the league with a 68.9 completion percentage.
It’s important to note that he had three straight Pro Bowl appearances prior to this season and lost his best weapon in Amari Cooper. With another year of Gruden’s offense under his belt, and hopefully a stronger cast of weapons, there’s a chance Carr has a major bounce back in 2019.
Looking at the free agent class, the best available quarterbacks are the aforementioned Foles, Bridgewater and perhaps Tyrod Taylor. Players like Josh McCown and Ryan Fitzpatrick are available, but at this stage they are more of a backup-type rather than a true starter.
Foles has looked fantastic over the past two seasons, including his surprising Super Bowl MVP nod. However, he has never started 16 games in his career. He had a fantastic 2013 in which he was voted to the Pro Bowl on the back of a 2,891 yard and 27/2 TD/INT campaign. However, the only other season he started more than 10 games, he threw for 2,052 yards and a 7/10 TD/INT ratio. He is likely to get a contract very similar to Carr’s after leading the Eagles in their Super Bowl win. However, he hasn’t been as consistent or hold as much potential as Carr. Would a “rebuilding” Raiders or Giants team be willing to pay $20 million for a 30-year old QB who has made nine starts since 2016?
Bridgewater has been recognized as a potential starter ever since he departure from the Vikings. However, he was beaten by Sam Darnold for the starting job in New York and then functioned as Drew Brees’ backup during the entire 2018 season. In his only start of the season, Bridgewater completed 14-22 passes for 118 yards and a 1/1 TD/INT ratio. Bridgewater has shown potential in the past and had a Pro Bowl season in 2015. However, that year he threw for just 3,321 yards and a 14/9 TD/INT ratio. Carr has surpassed 14 TDs every season and has surpassed 3,321 yards in all but his rookie year. Bridgewater is younger at just 26, but he hasn’t been the same QB since suffering his brutal injury. He’s more of a wildcard than a surefire starter at this stage.
Taylor has more starting experience than both Foles and Bridgewater. He has shown some strides in the past and even helped lead a questionable Bills team to the playoffs in 2017. However, given the starting role over Baker Mayfield to start the 2018 season, Taylor showed how low his floor could be. In four games and three starts, Taylor completed 42 passes for 473 yards and a 2/2 TD/INT ratio while also rushing for 126 yards and an additional score. Turning just 30, there is a chance Taylor is given an opportunity to start again. However, as the Raiders and Giants look to build from the ground up, he simply doesn’t have as much potential as Carr.
Overall, Smith’s claim that Carr is the best available quarterback remains true when it comes to free agents. While players like Foles and Bridgewater might earn starting opportunities, neither offer the same track record or potential that Carr possesses.
