3 potential replacements for Raiders QB Derek Carr if released in 2023

No. 3 potential replacement for Raiders QB Derek Carr: Gardner Minshew

Current team: Philadelphia Eagles

Before Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars had a revolving door at quarterback for most of the 2010s. After an underwhelming 2018 season, they released Blake Bortles despite the fact that they had just given him a contract extension the year before. To take his place, they signed Nick Foles, who played a big role in the Philadelphia Eagles beating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 52.

However, Foles was underwhelming in Jacksonville and was quickly replaced with Gardner Minshew, a scrappy rookie out of Washington State. The former Cougar exceed expectations in 2019, completing 60.6 percent of his passes for 3,271 yards with 31 touchdowns and six interceptions. But Minshew came crashing down in 2020 and was benched in favor of rookie Jake Luton. He got another chance to start against the Baltimore Ravens but was once again pulled to the sidelines, this time for Mike Glennon.

The Jags drafted Trevor Lawrence first overall in last year’s draft and traded Minshew to the Philadelphia Eagles before the start of the 2021 season. The mustachoed quarterback ended up making two starts for Philly and went 41-of-60 for 439 yards with four touchdowns and one interception.

Firmly entrenched as the Eagles’ backup quarterback, Minshew won’t probably see the field this season unless Jalen Hurts is seriously injured. Before being traded to Philly, Minshew expressed a desire to compete for a starting job.

Minshew is slated to become a free agent next offseason and the Raiders should consider pursuing him if they move on from Derek Carr. He would be an affordable option that would allow David Zeigler to allocate cap space to other position groups.