NEW ORLEANS — Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has been granted permission to visit the New Orleans Saints, sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The visit will take place on Wednesday at the Saints facility in Metairie, La., according to sources.
It would be Carr’s first-known visit ahead of the Raiders’ Feb. 15 trigger date on his contract, by which $40.4 million of his salary becomes guaranteed ($32.9 million in 2023 and $7.5 million for 2024). The situation means either the Raiders or the new team would have to absorb those guarantees, meaning the Raiders would likely choose to release him if no trade partner emerges by that point.
If the Raiders cut Carr, they will take on a $5.6 million salary cap hit, but free up $29.3 million in cap room. If they trade him, they’ll take on a $5.6 million cap hit and free up $29.3 million in cap room but would get draft picks back in return.
The Saints have the 29th pick in the 2023 draft as part of compensation for the Sean Payton trade to the Denver Broncos. They also have the 40th pick and the 71st pick on Day 2.
The Saints are estimated to be at least $55 million over the expected 2023 salary cap of $224.8 million and would have to restructure a number of contracts to not only be cap compliant, but to fit in Carr’s $34.8 million salary cap figure for 2023. His contract would likely also be restructured to lower his 2023 cap figure.
Carr’s upcoming meeting was first reported by the NFL Network and NewOrleans.Football.
The Saints already have familiarity with the quarterback. Saints coach Dennis Allen, who coached the Raiders from 2012-2014, selected him in the second round of the 2014 draft. Allen, who was fired four games into the 2014 season, also elected to start Carr right away as a rookie. Carr has a no-trade clause in his contract and can veto any destination.
Carr spent nine seasons with the Raiders with a 63-79 record and helped take them to the playoffs in 2016 and 2021, but missed the lone 2016…
