Why It Makes Sense For the Giants
For New York, adding Carr shows that they are serious about contending in short order. Eli Manning has proven time and time again that he isn’t able to lead this team to the playoffs in this stage of his career. With explosive running back Saquon Barkley already in tow, adding a competent passer in Carr could speed up the Giants return to relevancy.
The last two games of the 2018 regular season saw the G-Men lose by just one point to both the Colts and Cowboys, two playoff teams. Barkley was the second leading rusher in the NFL at 1,307 yards. The team overall finished 17th in total offense. While the defense still needs some help, there are building blocks to build around.
If the Giants are able to land a stud defender at four and then trade for Carr, they are beginning to have the makings of a team that could compete in the NFC East. New York has around $32 million available in cap space, meaning they would be able to take on Carr’s contract with room to spare.
For the Giants, adding Carr would prove Smith’s point. They clearly feel that he is the best available quarterback on the market. If that fact holds true and the team does decide to move on from Manning in 2019, then from their point of view a deal for the current Oakland Raiders’ quarterback makes total sense.
Why It Makes Sense For the Raiders
While the Giants point of view is pretty cut and dry, the Raiders side becomes a bit more difficult. Carr is fully entrenched as their starter and while the current regime didn’t sign him to an extension, his contract makes him difficult to move. That being said, there are more than enough reasons for Oakland to move on from Carr this off season.
Gruden, who is known for scouting quarterbacks, might want to find his own passer to build around. While he has talked up Carr in the past, he may not be the “perfect” quarterback for Gruden’s system. As Gruden and Mayock look to rebuild, finding their own quarterback who they could mold into the face of the franchise may be a main topic of discussion.
Furthermore, it has become no secret that having a quarterback on a rookie deal is the key to success in the NFL. Of the 12 teams in the 2018 playoffs, six have quarterbacks on rookie deals. Having a player like Patrick Mahomes or Lamar Jackson not only improves your football team, but it helps it financially.
Rather than spending 20+ million on your QB, you are able to spend elsewhere. For example, with the Chicago Bears having Mitchell Trubisky on a rookie deal, they were able to trade and sign former Raiders defensive end/linebacker Kahlil Mack to a $141 million deal.
For the Raiders, having a Haskins or Jones or Lock would allow them to instill a new franchise quarterback, one that Gruden handpicked, while being able to use their cap space in other areas. If Oakland’s front office feel that that is the better way to build their franchise, Carr could be on the move.
Overall
Smith was not doing any actual reporting when he stated Carr to the Giants. However, he seemed pretty adamant in his prediction. Even CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora tweeted it was a possibility earlier in the season.
If the Raiders truly feel that Carr isn’t the answer at QB, the Giants would certainly be one of the top teams to land him. Adding the former Fresno State Bulldog gives New York a true franchise quarterback to build around and a partner for Barkley in the backfield. Carr shined when he had Amari Cooper, so being in an offense with Odell Beckham Jr. can perhaps be the spark he needs.
For Oakland, moving Carr means they are going in an entirely different direction at QB. Whether it be through the draft or free agency, the Raiders may choose to hit the reset button completely as they go into their first year of the rebuild. That being said, they must be fully sure whoever replaces Carr is a truly better option than the three-time Pro Bowler.
Overall, the Carr to Giants rumors aren’t going away anytime soon and will continue all the way up until the 2019 Trade Deadline. However, for radio host Jason Smith, it already seems like a done deal.
