QB Carr agrees to 4-year deal with Saints
Seahawks sign Geno Smith after comeback season by 10-year vet
NEW ORLEANS — Derek Carr has proved repeatedly that he can produce as a passer.
What the former Raiders quarterback hasn’t done is win in the playoffs, something he aims to change in New Orleans, where he’ll be reunited with Dennis Allen — his first NFL coach.
Carr has agreed to a fouryear contract with the Saints, and a person familiar with the situation said the deal could be worth up to $150 million.
The person spoke to The Associated Press about the contract’s value on condition of anonymity Monday because financial terms were not released when the Saints announced their agreement with Carr, a four-time Pro Bowler who ranks fourth in the NFL in yards passing since entering the league.
“Derek’s experience, leadership and skillset will be an asset to our offense,” Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said.
Carr played nine seasons for the Raiders and holds club records for yards passing (35,222) and touchdown passes (217). But after struggling late last season, he was benched with two games remaining.
Carr, who turns 32 on March 28, was released by Las Vegas on Feb. 14 after he declined to waive the no-trade clause in his contract. Las Vegas needed to trade or release him by that date or $40.4 million of his contract over the next two years would have become fully guaranteed.
Seahawks sign Geno Smith: Seattle agreed to terms with quarterback Geno Smith on a three-year contract Monday that keeps the AP comeback player of the year in the Pacific Northwest.
The deal will keep Smith as the presumptive starter with the Seahawks and gives him the first big payday of his career. NFL Network and The Score reported the deal could be worth up to $105 million.
Ridley reinstated after gambling suspension: The NFL reinstated suspended receiver Calvin Ridley, clearing the way for him to join his new team in Jacksonville.
The league said Ridley, who had been suspended indefinitely since March 2022 for violating the NFL’S gambling policy, is eligible to participate in all team activities beginning immediately. He is expected to join the Jaguars for offseason workouts beginning April 17.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
Minnesota: The Vikings started their salary cap purge by terminating the contract of veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks, ending his eight-year run with the team. The 2019 All-pro started 113 regular season games — plus six in the playoffs — for the Vikings and had 857 tackles, 51 passes defensed and nine interceptions.
Jacksonville: The Jaguars placed the franchise tag on veteran tight end Evan Engram, guaranteeing him a one-year, $11.345 million contract in 2023. Engram and the team have until July 17 to negotiate a long-term deal, and both sides have expressed interest in making it happen.
NY Giants: The Giants have hired a new running backs coach and added three other staff, including the son of coach Brian Daboll as an offensive assistant.
Carolina: The NFL has suspended Panthers reserve safety Sean Chandler without pay for the first two games of the 2023 regular season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.