- Tom Brady has opened as the odds-on favorite to be the Las Vegas Raiders’ next QB if the team moves on from Derek Carr.
- The Raiders announced last Wednesday that Carr would be benched in the Raiders’ last two regular season games.
- Meanwhile, The New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts have opened as the co-favorites to be Carr’s next team in 2023.
The benching of QB Derek Carr could mean the end of his tenure as the Las Vegas Raiders starting QB.
The Raiders announced last Wednesday that Carr would be sitting the team’s final two regular season games with back-up Jarrett Stidham replacing him as the starter and Chase Garbers as the backup.
Carr had been the Raiders’ starter since the team drafted him in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft but with the latest move, many believe his time with the team may be over. He signed a three-year $121.5 million extension but could end up getting traded before Super Bowl LVII. Carr’s 2023 salary will be fully guaranteed three days after the Super Bowl.
The top NFL sportsbooks agree.
Online sportsbook BetOnline has opened the betting lines for the Raiders’ next starter, if not Derek Carr, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady has opened as the +300 favorite to be the next Las Vegas QB if the team moves on from Carr.
Tom Brady to the Raiders in 2023?
#RaiderNation thoughts on Tom Brady to the Raiders in 2023? pic.twitter.com/OOVO4ZGxdl
— Raiders Report Mitchell Renz (@MitchellRenz365) December 30, 2022
The 45-year-old Brady will be a free agent for the second time in his career this March. Although the plan entering 2022 was to walk away at the age of 45, Brady ended a short retirement to return to the Bucs this season. It has been one of the toughest years of Brady’s storied career but despite the struggles, the Bucs are still going to the playoff after clinching their second straight NFC South Division title and Brady is heading to a 14th consecutive postseason.
San Francisco 49ers back-up QB Jimmy Garropolo has the second-best odds to be the Raiders’ next starter at +350. Jimmy G. started the season on the bench with the 49ers giving the keys to Trey Lance. But when Lance got hurt, he proved that he still has it when healthy. Unfortunately, Garropolo suffered a broken foot in Week 13 and he too will be a free agent in March.
Meanwhile, Florida Gators QB Anthony Richardson is next at +500 odds while Ohio State signal caller CJ Stroud is at +650 and Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis is at +700 odds. Veteran Jarrett Stidham, who started in Sunday’s 37-34 loss to the 49ers is at +900 odds. Baltimore Ravens’ starter Lamar Jackson, who will also be a free agent in March, is the last player with odds shorter than +1000 at +900.
Vegas Odds Favor Colts and Jets as Carr’s Next Team
Where will Derek Carr play next year? Vegas odds think the Colts and Jets are the early favorites https://t.co/vHGO9ru9AM #NFL #NFLDraftNews pic.twitter.com/3ichAPCdkh
— NFL Draft Diamonds (@DraftDiamonds) December 30, 2022,
On the other hand, Carr isn’t favored to return to the Raiders next season. According to the top NFL betting sites, the New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts are the +300 co-favorites to acquire the services of the 31-year-old 3-time Pro-Bowler.
The Jets make a lot of sense for Carr since they will not be drafting highly in the next draft thanks to their decent performance this season. With a talented offensive unit and strong defense, the Jets cannot wait for a young QB to develop. Meanwhile, the Colts have been using patchwork veterans since Andrew Luck retired after the 2018 season and are in search of their next franchise quarterback.
Carolina is next in line at +500 odds while The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are next at +600, that is if Tom Brady leaves or retires. The New Orleans Saints are also listed at +800 odds while the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots are the last teams in the odds board at +900 apiece.