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Adam Schefter says Panthers going after Derek Carr 'wouldn't be a surprise'

Chandler Vesselsby:Chandler Vessels•02/15/23•

ChandlerVessels

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The Carolina Panthers are one of many teams who could be in the mix to sign free agent quarterback Derek Carr. The Raiders released Carr on Tuesday after nine seasons, opening the door for him to sign with a new team.

In an appearance on SportsCenter on Wednesday, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter revealed he expects Carr to visit the Panthers, as well as NFC South rival New Orleans.

“I would think Derek Carr will wind up visiting Carolina at some point in time,” Schefter said. “He’s got some close relationships with some people in that organization and while he has already visited New Orleans, I expect he’ll wind up visiting Carolina in the NFC South as well, and there will be other teams interested. But the Saints are going to continue to stay on him.

“I think the Panthers will be interested and if you’re Carolina and you sign Derek Carr, you still can draft a quarterback at No. 9 and have him sit behind Derek Carr, if that’s what you want to do. That could be the best of both worlds. But it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Panthers were in the mix on Derek Carr.”

The Panthers have had a different starting quarterback every year since releasing Cam Newton in 2020. This past season they started three different QBs in Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and PJ Walker. They finished the season 7-10 and hired Frank Reich to be their next head coach this offseason.

Bringing in Carr would provide some much-needed stability to the Carolina quarterbacks room. Carr leaves the Raiders as the franchise’s all-time leading passer with 35,222 yards, 217 touchdowns and 99 interceptions. He has made four Pro Bowl appearances over his career including this past season. Carr threw for 3,522 yards, 24 touchdowns and 14 interceptions as Las Vegas finished 6-11 in 2022.

Unlike most free agents, Carr will not have to wait until March to sign with his new team. With that being the case, fans should keep an eye out for how the visits go as a signing could happen at any time. Other than the Saints and Panthers, the Jets and Titans are also said to be interested in Carr.