NFL rumors: 3 new teams that could completely shake up Derek Carr sweepstakes

Teams that could shake up Derek Carr, NFL rumors landscape: Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers should absolutely be all-in on Derek Carr. Frank Reich didn’t shut down the idea when he was recently asked about it.

With a new coach in Reich and relatively new ownership that should want to prove to Charlotte and the rest of the Carolinas that winning is everything, moving toward a veteran QB is a must.

There’s no sense in gambling on a rookie for Carolina.

With the ninth overall pick, there’s not much the Panthers can do in the draft to get a quarterback aside from trading up. Doing so wouldn’t be the best use of resources. They can use that pick for another needed area if they fill the QB role with a solid veteran.

Aside from Carr, the best veteran options in free agency are Jimmy Garoppolo and other similar suitors. While possibly a fit, Carr is a step above.

The Panthers just aren’t going to be in the running for Rodgers, either. While winning now feels important for them, they don’t have the big-market curse and edict to win that comes with the location that the New York Jets do.

The reason the Panthers jumping in officially would mix things up dramatically is that the Saints, their NFC South rival, are already in the mix. Two teams in the same division being interested in one player already expected to draw $30 million-plus could drive Carr’s price through the roof since both teams will be motivated to not only get Carr on their team, but also keep him away from the other.

In seriousness, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be slotted in here as well after Tom Brady’s retirement. It’s not totally out of the realm of possibility that all three teams make a lunge for Carr, which would really make the market spicy.