Will The Derek Carr “Ripple Effect” Reach Tampa?

March 7th, 2023

Bucs GM Jason Licht

Yes, the slimy Saints now have three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Carr leading their offense, and it’s silly to think that won’t matter to the owners and general managers of the other NFC South teams.

The Falcons and Panthers pick No. 8 and No. 9 in the 2023 NFL Draft, respectively. That means there’s no guarantee either team will get a shot to draft a top-shelf QB prospect.

So how will Carolina and Atlanta react to the news of Carr landing in New Orleans, quickly making the the Saints the favorite to win the weak NFC South?

Joe can’t answer that, but the ripple effect of the Carr signing could have Atlanta and/or Carolina diving right into the Jimmy Garoppolo market, or chasing another free agent quarterback.

Joe sees Atlanta as a good fit for Jimmy G. Not only does Atlanta have salary cap room, but they employ a run-first offense. That’s what Garoppolo probably needs to thrive, and it’s what he was accustomed to in San Francisco.

Carolina? They’re a wild card if they can’t swing a March deal to trade up in the draft.

And that brings Joe to the Bucs. What if Atlanta indeed signs Garoppolo to go with their bruising run game, beastly tight end and stud receiver? Would the Bucs feel any pressure to look harder at spending on a veteran quarterback?

Joe wonders how the Bucs would feel about Matt Ryan (not how Joe feels, how the Bucs feel).

Ryan likely will be released by the Colts next week to clear salary cap room. The Colts still owe him $12 million guaranteed for 2023, and he has “offsets” in his contract, which typically would mean the Colts don’t have to pay the entire $12 million if another team is paying a chunk.

Ryan says he wants to keep playing. Would the Bucs go there if Ryan cost them, say, $2 million plus giant incentives while Indianapolis paid the remainder of the $12 million due him? That’s kind of how the Bucs got Logan Ryan on the cheap last season after he was cut by the Giants.

Ryan turns 38 in May and is no longer a special quarterback. But the Bucs might see him as fantastic competition for Kyle Trask and wonderful mentor if he loses the battle.

83 Responses to “Will The Derek Carr “Ripple Effect” Reach Tampa?”

  1. Coburn Says:

    Or is there that much more pressure to get an edge guy to sack these other qbs instead of going the arms race route?

  2. Alexandre Nascimento Says:

    Unbelievable how much your brains work, Joes!
    That would be a major ripple effect and the one I really like it, at first.
    Let’s see what the future holds.

    Keep it up!

    Go Bucs!

  3. MelvinJunior Says:

    Here comes “Jameis” – He’s Baaaaackkk.. Hahah

  4. Marine Buc Says:

    These next 8 days are going to be very interesting for the Bucs…

    We are currently STILL $55 million over the cap and have until March 15 to make the necessary moves to get under the cap.

    So far all they have announced is cutting Cam Brate and Fournette…

    OK – only $50 million more to go and 8 days to do it.

    Tick-tock-tick-tock Jason Licht. You better get moving bud.

  5. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Don’t be tempted to make a mistake here…….stay the course…..sure, Matt Ryan at $2 mil……..only a fool would pass on that…….That’s Blaine Gabbert money….

  6. Tye Says:

    Matt Ryan would be better than 90% of the other qbs you have written about….

  7. AnonymousBuc76 Says:

    Did I miss something?

    Are opposing teams in the NFC South supposed to be worried about Derek Carr??

  8. Buc4evr Says:

    I would be worried about Ryan’s durability at this point but at $2m why not? Brissett or Mayfield might be better choices if the Salary is right.

  9. AnonymousBuc76 Says:

    I agree 💯% Marine Buc…

    Licht and Todd have some tough decisions to make over the next week or so….

  10. JP09 Says:

    Are we talking about the same Derek Carr that wins 44% of the games he plays in?

  11. KC Buc Says:

    I do really like this idea: honestly, peak Matt Ryan would be a good ceiling and blueprint for Trask to strive for – similar builds and athleticism. I like to think Ryan would be a better mentor match for Trask than Fitzmagic ever was for Jameis. But if Ryan wins a QB competition against Trask, we better strap in for a top 5 2024 pick and full throttle on the CollapseforCaleb talk. Ryan was bad last year…like really bad….like peak Jameis turnover bad.

  12. Kobe Faker Says:

    “The 2 most influential/ leader in the Bucs team

    Chris Godwin and Mike Evans

    wants 1 man…

    Jaboo Winston”

    Kobe Faker

  13. jerseybuc Says:

    If they have any belief in Trask at all then Ryan makes sense. He could push the kid, play a bit and certainly be a mentor. Other QB’s available will not be as comfortable being pushed to the bench by a kid with zero experience. I think Ryan knows his place at this point and just wants to keep suiting up. He will want to win the job, but should be a good soldier at this point in his career.

  14. ElioT Says:

    Per Greg Auman’s Twitter:

    Saints’ team 2022 passing stats: 24 TDs, 14 INTs
    Derek Carr 2022 passing stats: 24 TDs, 14 INTs

    Saints’ 2022: 66 percent, 3,969 passing yards
    Carr’s 2022: 61 percent, 3,522 passing yards

    (Carr played in 15 games; pro-rate to 17 and he throws for 3,991)
    ——-

    Desperation move by the Saints trying to get to a SB with their aging and very expensive roster.

    Smart move by the Bucs to reset this season. They might take some lumps but they might also surprise and be competitive. Either way, gotta build, build, build.

  15. gbobucsfan Says:

    It may take me a minute to be able to root for Matt Ryan in the pewter and scarlet.

  16. Letsbucinggo Says:

    Mattie Ice 2 mil one year gets us to the 2024 draft. He might do well with Evans and Godwin and just maybe Gibbs at running back I saw Gibbs was the only running back that got a formal interview for what its worth.

  17. HC Grover Says:

    But we have Gabbert and Bowles genius game plans. They could go all the way.

  18. zzbucs Says:

    Shaq Mason, Succop and Smith are next……

    I am not in the business of predicting the future, but I don´t see any other option than play trask and make him compete with thir tier level QB…

    When you make a huge party, (BRady, SB, expensive FA´s) sooner or later yo´ll have to pay for it, Seems to me this is the perfect year to pay for it…..

    Is fun to me that the Saints keep rolling their debts and pay huge amount of money for a player like Carr that is far and repeat far from being great….Someon would admire what a Salary cap magician they are, but the truth is they are a joke…..

    So, we enjoy the party, let´s pay de bill, and move on……

  19. uhmmm Says:

    Bring back Jameis.

  20. Rod Munch Says:

    I never thought of this before, but I wonder if Matt Ryan has a Steve DeBerg type of ending to his career, where he just sticks around forever, starts here and there, ends up mentoring young QBs everywhere. That would actually be a good fit for the Bucs if he’s that cheap. I’d still rather see what Trask can do as I expect this year to be a disaster, but Ryan could be a spot starter, or perhaps the starter if Trask wilts under pressure.

    That’s one of the better fits I’ve seen so far, that makes sense for the team.

    Now of course if I ran the team things would be different. I’d bring in Wentz, all the issues with him, what I hear, is that he’s not a good leader and perhaps an issue in the locker room. In a veteran locker room like Tampa, that wouldn’t be an issue. Then I’d pair him up with Winston, and let the two gunslingers shoot it out.

    Of course, however, Todd Bowles is a dullard and just wants a game manager so any thoughts of bringing in gunslingers that score points is moot. Bowles thinks it’s 1972 and you win by scoring 12 points a game.

  21. Dooley Says:

    Jets fans are feeling the ripple effect, and we share a division with New Orleans so yes Carr signing to those rat basturds will def be felt in the NFC South considering every team in it was/has been in the market for a starting QB.

  22. Kgh4life Says:

    Carr is just another Kirk Cousins. He puts up great stats during the season but melts down in games that matter.

  23. Architek Says:

    Noooooo! Please, no.

  24. Rod Munch Says:

    Kgh4life Says:
    March 7th, 2023 at 12:05 pm
    Carr is just another Kirk Cousins.

    ———-

    LOL! Carr only wishes he was in the same league as Cousins.

  25. Dooley Says:

    How do you type this?
    “Now of course if I ran the team things would be different. I’d bring in Wentz, all the issues with him, what I hear, is that he’s not a good leader and perhaps an issue in the locker room. In a veteran locker room like Tampa, that wouldn’t be an issue. Then I’d pair him up with Winston, and let the two gunslingers shoot it out.”

    then try to punctuate that terrible idea with this

    “Of course, however, Todd Bowles is a dullard and just wants a game manager so any thoughts of bringing in gunslingers that score points is moot. Bowles thinks it’s 1972 and you win by scoring 12 points a game.”

    We aren’t going to win games throwing to the other team either lol

  26. Nicholas Carlson Says:

    Matt Ryan at $2mm is a great idea

  27. Thisisouryear!! Says:

    I’ve always felt Matty Ice was overrated in his prime. I would rather bring in legitimate competition for Trask. IMO Mayfield, Wentz or Brissett have a definite upside. Any of them could be the next Geno that turns their career around. Everyone says tank for Caleb, but that’s another huge variable plus Bowles has to know it’s win or go home for Toddy boy. Lol.

  28. Craig Says:

    Derek Carr has a ripple effect?

    Is it for starting seasons well, or for choking down the stretch. I always thought his roll model was Andy Dalton, who can’t win a playoff game.

  29. Joe Swanson Says:

    One thing for sure Atlanta and Carolina won’t be interested in Ryan

  30. Rod Munch Says:

    Dooley – Turns out, and get this, it’s new information — but apparently in the NFL you win games by scoring more points than the other team. I know, it’s all new to me as well…

    And if you’re going to lose anyways, I’d rather watch games where you lose 35-31 than 30-3.

    But that’s just me, a non-dullard. There’s plenty of bores out there who disagree and would rather go down running it up the middle on every play than actually attempt to score points and have something go wrong.

  31. LOL Says:

    Why would Matt Ryan play for 2Million? He doesn’t seem like a guy who would take less than 10mil but I guess people will have their fantasies regardless

  32. Rod Munch Says:

    LOL Says:
    March 7th, 2023 at 12:40 pm
    Why would Matt Ryan play for 2Million? He doesn’t seem like a guy who would take less than 10mil but I guess people will have their fantasies regardless

    ———

    Like the story says, the Colts would be paying the other $10m.

  33. Gofortheface30 Says:

    I’m not exactly getting a half a chub at the thought of watching Kyle Trask, but it’s the smart way to go. If he plays great and we go .500 – holy hell what an unbelievable yr and a lot to look forward to. We may have found our QB. If he flames (likely) then the whole team will flame (likely) and we can be in a position to be at pick 1 or close enough to trade to it to draft the franchise qb this franchise has desperately needed since….it’s entire existence. It’s a win/win playing trask. We aren’t winning the Super Bowl this yr guys. Idk if some of you actually know this, yannow – we aren’t. Gnna have to take our lumps next yr and not operate in delusional fashion

  34. Joe Swanson Says:

    Maybe 8 mil and incentives with a run first offense those incentives are going to be few and far between. Plus the 49ers will probably get him so its back to the drawing board. I don’t care what they are saying Trask will not be the day 1 starter.

  35. Dooley Says:

    “And if you’re going to lose anyways, I’d rather watch games where you lose 35-31 than 30-3.”

    Loser mentality that speaks for you and itself.

    Imagine coming up with a “if I were GM” idea and the most exciting outcome solving our issue at QB you can think of is adding Carson Wentz & Jameis Winston because “gunslingers” = points scored? LMAO

  36. Redeemer Says:

    Matt Ryan is shot. I want nothing to do with that. For you people that thought Brady was over the hill, Ryan would make you pull your hair out. Just roll with Trask. It won’t be pretty, but at least they’ll find out what they have. I wouldn’t be averse to bringing in competition, if the price is right. IMO, it’s going to be dark times for a couple years.

  37. Rod Munch Says:

    Dooley – Oh right, you were the head of the Glennon mob. I forgot.

    Well there’s no fixing stupid.

  38. geno711 Says:

    Colts will cut Matt Ryan. If they keep him on the team the whole year, they would pay him $29.2 million. If they cut him prior to March 17th, the owe him $12 million but save the other $17 million.

    So Matt Ryan with already $12 million in his pocket, will he want a $10 or $15 million contract or will he want an opportunity to show he can be a starter again.

    I personally think, he would like the opportunity to be a starter again. I have no clue on the amount of money but if he wants to start maybe Tampa is a better opportunity then some other towns.

  39. geno711 Says:

    I hope Dooley you really were not part of the Glennon crowd. Ouch!

    That really is the same level as the Johnny Manziel crowd.

  40. AnonymousBuc76 Says:

    Matt Ryan is not the answer guys; he looked terrible at times in Indy last season…

    Roll with Trask – LFG!

    Some may disagree but I’m okay with them kicking the tires on Wentz or Winston for QB competition purposes…

  41. Dooley Says:

    Rod Munch-More of you not knowing what you’re talking about, Me? Glennon, really? Maybe over McCown 8 years ago, but that’s about it

    While you’re at it with the imaginary GM thing, why not call Josh Freeman up so you can at least have a good plug for the devils’ dandruff when you get fired. Nobody on planet earth is saying to anybody else with a pulse “you know what would be exciting, a QB battle between Carson Wentz & Jameis Winston” you gotta be smokin, snortin, or shooting something to try to conflate what shouldn’t be said/typed aloud as some edgy, new idea.

  42. 1#bucsfan Says:

    Some of y’all are asking for Winston back and I say HELL NOOOOOOOOOO. lol I can’t go thru another season with Winston giving the ball away like he did.

  43. SteveK Says:

    Wow, remember how much more chill our comment section was with Brady at the helm?

    #Stability

    Here’s to hoping Trask has developed and I love the idea of adding old man Marty Ice to compete/back up on the cheap. Or another veteran would be great.

  44. Dooley Says:

    1#Bucsfan

    Apparently 5 years & 88 INTs wasn’t enough

  45. Beej Says:

    Taylor Heineke would make for a decent training camp competitor for Trask, possibly the guy from Dallas, who is apparently also a free agent. Neither of these would cost very much

  46. Joe Swanson Says:

    If we would still pay 25 mil to Brady if he came back we could surely pay Matt Ryan 10 mil pay him 2 mil, 4 mil 2024, 4 mil 2025 easy peasy.

  47. Infomeplease Says:

    All I know is this season will not be much fun for players and fans alike! We’ll see what happens when it happens, lol!!

  48. Rod Munch Says:

    Dooley – Lets see… Winston, pre-Brady, sets all the team’s offensive records (except for turnovers), has the offense, for the first time in team history, in the top 5 – multiple times.

    Meanwhile he had the worst defense (literally #32) in the NFL from 2015-2019, the worst kicking game (literally #32) in the NFL from 2015-2019, while playing the hardest schedule (literally #1).

    But yeah, he was the problem. LOL!

    As I said, there’s no fixing stupid.

  49. RGA Says:

    Mike White could be brought in for competition.

  50. Redeemer Says:

    Winston, Are you people insane? I’m not a fan of Trask. But they need to find out. He was drafted 64th. Even if he sucks, wouldn’t you rather know? IMO the more games they lose next season the better. The only way to restock the cupboard is through the draft. 8-9 may win the south, but it’s fools gold. I realize owners love home playoff games, but really ?

  51. Dooley Says:

    @Rod Munch

    Winstons’ best and worst season as a pro were the SAME season, but let you tell it the Saints should’ve absolutely kept him to compete for the starting job, but they signed Derek Carr instead. The same Derek Carr you were on this site railing about, that had multiple suitors for his talent, something Winston hasn’t had to deal with as a pro since the build up to the 2015 draft. Imagine, 3 years and a SB win later and you’re still putting on the cape for Jameis Winston. Also, explain how 88 INTs in 5 seasons improves to level of play around you? Drugs are bad Rod

  52. Aceofaerospace Says:

    Personally I’m ok with signing Ryan as a mentor and competition for Trask. If Trask can’t outplay Ryan, then he’s probably not very good anyway. And if Trask wins the job, Ryan’s a decent backup.

  53. Rod Munch Says:

    Calm down ladies. I said I would pick up Winston and Wentz and let them duel it out, it would be a fun shootout, and I value points – as that’s how you win games, by scoring more points than the other team. But Bowles is in charge of the team, and you can expect him to do whatever is most boring and will score the least amount of points. Additionally the Bucs sound like they’re going to be running a boring 1999 Mike Shula offense, and so having a high flying point scoring QB is a bad match for that. So chill out, there’s no reason to get your panties in a bunch. Enjoy your 30-3 loses where you have 211 yards on offense (total), but win the turnover column.

  54. Dooley Says:

    “it would be a fun shootout, and I value points”

    NO tf it would not be and you like scoring points but dont value this

    “but win the turnover column.”

    which is ssa backwards as when you’re not turning the ball over, your % of scoring points goes up and having points scored on you goes down.

    “Additionally the Bucs sound like they’re going to be running a boring 1999 Mike Shula offense”

    Ms.Cleo level of intellectual con-artistry, at the very best it’s just spin from a guy who know just as much about football as a pylon

  55. Duane Says:

    Typical Bucs life. We only have one qb that has never played a game, there are serviceable veterans out there, and we consider kicking the tires of Ryan for 2 million? Still need another body that plays quarterback Bucs fans! There is no silver lining for tanking for a number one pick, because Licht has the potential to screw that one up too. Hoping we arent sitting on our hands in the hopes of Brady coming back.

  56. StickinUp4Centers Says:

    Seeing as I don’t believe the Bucs are going to be Super Bowl contenders in 23, I’d hope that the games are at least entertaining. Matt Ryan would be the blandest football I could imagine (And at this point, does he even add any wins over Trask?). I would much rather see Jameis return. Heck, the 2019 Bucs with Jameis were much more entertaining than the 2022 playoff Bucs.

  57. Jeff’s grandpa Says:

    Why? This year we will take are lumps with or without Matt no arm Ryan

  58. gotbbucs Says:

    Best case scenario starting Matt Ryan or anyone else comparable would equate to spinning our tires in mud.
    With Trask we either find out if we have a QB worth building around or we earn the chance to draft a new QB. Win/win.
    As weathered Bucs fans, are we really scared to suck and be laughed at for another tear? C’mon, we were baptized in this fire.

  59. Winny Testaverde Says:

    Matt Ryan is more washed than Kyle Rudolph. He makes Brady look like Lamar Jackson in the mobility dept. A team would be nuts to sign him…he’ll likely take the Colts “severance” and do TV. It’s hard to believe Ryan has more career passing yards than Dan Marino. Different eras I know…but still.

  60. Duane Says:

    This doesn’t change anything. Carr is not the GOAT, the next GOAT, the Son of Goat, the Grandson of GOAT, or anything remotely close to GOATishness. Nor is he Drew Brees, or anything Breesy-like.

    Carr led his team to a 6-11 record last season, got himself canned even before the season was over. His personal stats were very average for the NFL. Does he help New Orleans get better? Maybe and maybe not.

    Tampa has a plan, and they are sticking to it. They always knew that the other three teams in their division are going to try to get better, as they do every season.

  61. Elita Vita Says:

    We just need a one year rental at QB….might as well bring back Jameis Winston At least we Bucs fans will be entertained during this “lost year”.

  62. Winny Testaverde Says:

    Another day, another attempt by Hot Rod Mulch to pull Winston’s career outta the glue factory.

  63. Allbuccedup Says:

    The left hand doesn’t know what the rights doing to have a dominant running game you need a mobile quarterback neither Trask or Ryan are mobile. Then Bowles wants a strong running game and Canales says we will go with what works go figure.

  64. Allbuccedup Says:

    Lamar Jacksons available non exclusive franchise tag. Just two first rounders and a whole lot of money.

  65. JayBucsBoi Says:

    🙄

  66. chark Says:

    matt ryan..He makes brady look like lamar jackson..haha good one. Matt ryan has looked just plain awful in his last few years. Once a good qb, he is scared to leave pocket and has nervous feet now..he just needs to retire. As have said before Mayfield is undervalued..Id take him over jimmy g and carr

  67. Jeff Says:

    Yes! Saints will go 2-0 vs the Yucs this year. It’s going to be a blood bath. Bucs would be better just forfeiting those games. The Saints are way to hard for the soft Bucs.

  68. Redeemer Says:

    Allbucc, Lamar will never win in this league. He can’t win from the pocket. The entire Baltimore offense is designed for him to succeed. He hasn’t, because the game is still won and lost from the pocket. Mahomes won the Superbowl with his arm, dinking and dunking his way down the field.
    .

  69. DaPostman Says:

    We just went 8 and 9 with the greatest statue at QB so NO MORE STATUES.

    Get a mobile QB. At least someone who can prolong plays somewhat to allow these slow WR’s some time to get separation.

  70. Jonny Says:

    We are better off with Jameis as a one year stop gap than any free agent QBs that have been thrown around. I’d rather stick with Trask even if he looks horrible in training camp. Tampa is tank central in 2023. Heck we looked like we were tanking with Brady.

  71. Allbuccedup Says:

    Redeemer I agree the guy is not worth what he thinks he is neither is Daniel Jones worth 40 mil a year. These quarterback salaries are getting ridiculous. An average quarterback signs a 4 year 160 mil.

  72. Bill in Seminole Says:

    Numbers don’t change just because you want them to change. The Bucs have the biggest negative cap position in the league. Next year is already tanked. Just a case of how far down we go.

  73. Defense Rules Says:

    Joe, I’m not sure where those dollar amounts for Ryan came from, but Spotrac has different numbers. They show Ryan’s 2023 CAP hit as being $35,205,882 and his Dead CAP value as being $18,000,000. There are no ‘void’ years (it ends after 2023).

    Might be wrong, but it looks to me like it’d cost us a LOT more than $2 mil to sign Ryan. After watching a 45-year old statue in 2022, don’t really want to watch a 38-year old statue in 2023 anyways. I’d rather watch Gabbert duke it out with Trask.

  74. Just Leave Trask Alone Says:

    Joe and the rest of fanbase needs to be dragged kicking and screaming into having a talented young QB at the helm.

    For the love of all that is holy please recognize that an elite veteran QB isn’t walking through that door. So then what? A reclamation project? A guy who lost his job elsewhere?

    If anything the Bucs should bring in young, inexperienced, but hungry guys who are going to compete. One in the later rounds of the draft and one in free agency.

  75. Crazyhorse54 Says:

    Seems odd that New Orleans, in as bad cap he’ll as TB, can make a deal for Carr and the Bucs couldn’t. Also, I’ve noticed local media honoring the cap hell the Bucs are as impossible to deal with. Really? I thought Bucs had the genius capologist that ever lived. It’s comes across as very disingenuous to suggest the MUST act as if they are saddled and chained.

  76. mark2001 Says:

    Ryan yes. Jameis? Adios bucs. I don’t have enough years left or low enough blood pressure to deal with him again at QB for us.

  77. mark2001 Says:

    Except for turnovers? WTF? Turn overs are the worst characteristic of bad QBs. Except for? Crazy man.

  78. Kgh4life Says:

    Matt Ryan did play in a similar offense in 2016 when the Falcons went to the Super Bowl. He put up great numbers that year. Maybe he’s worth a look.

  79. Who Says Says Can't Say Says:

    I’d rather Mayfield if he’s within the price range

  80. adam from ny Says:

    you can’t take jaboo back…

    if he stayed and studied under brady for a few years that could possibly work…

    but to be a saint with a busted neckbone, we got no room for ya…

    especially after all the strobe light dancing and W’s crap, early on with the saints…

    gotta search elsewhere

  81. Goatfarmer Says:

    Blowzo made Tom Brady pedestrian.

    He can ruin any QB. So it doesn’t matter.

  82. Cobraboy Says:

    Younger and faster.

    Ryan is neither.

  83. ScottyMack Says:

    Folks need to remember that Ryan looked great in all but the past two seasons. Those two seasons he was playing with nothing for receivers at Atlanta and at Indy. Give him a couple studs at receiver (Evans and Godwin) and maybe another guy he is very familiar with (Gage) and I bet you would see a whole different Matt Ryan at QB.