NFL Rumors: Saints 'Ready' to Sign Former Raiders QB Derek Carr to Contract

The New Orleans Saints need a quarterback, and they're "ready" to sign former Las Vegas Raiders veteran Derek Carr, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

"Saints, it's my understanding that they want to get something done with Derek Carr. Like, that they're ready to do that," Fowler said on The Official Jets Podcast (15:48 mark).

He added: "I get the sense that, you know, he's just sort of waiting it out patiently so that that second team can get heavily involved along with the Saints and then you have more leverage."

The Raiders released Carr last month. He has also received interest from the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers in free agency.

The 31-year-old met with the Saints on Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, according to Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Advocate, and the franchise "likes where it's at" with the veteran signal-caller "at the moment."

"We had a good visit," Saints general manager Mickey Loomis confirmed to reporters. "He's going through his process, and we're going through our process. We'll see what happens."

Carr is viewed as a "long-term solution" at quarterback, Loomis said, and Saints head coach Dennis Allen also shared why he thinks the veteran would be a good fit:

"I think he's highly competitive, he's highly intelligent, he's got a great work ethic, he's an outstanding leader. Those are all the qualities that I like about him, and those are qualities that we like in the quarterback position. We'll certainly let that process take place, but we like the player."

The Saints are in desperate need of a new signal-caller in the post-Drew Brees era after rolling with Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton for much of the last two seasons. Since Brees retired after the 2020 season, the Saints have posted back-to-back losing records and haven't reached the postseason, going 16-18.

Adding Carr, an experienced veteran who is a four-time Pro Bowler, could elevate the New Orleans offense, which features Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara.

If the Saints can't land Carr, they could also explore selecting a quarterback in the 2023 draft. However, the franchise's first-round pick doesn't come until 29th overall, so the likes of Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson would likely be gone.