The Jets Told Derek Carr He Could Be A Hall Of Famer If He Is Able To Win With Them And They Might Be Right
It didn't take too long for this to come out for the jokes to appear:
I get it. LOLJETS and all that. Between the Jets not having even made the playoffs for 12 years and Derek Carr only having played one playoff game his entire career, this potential marriage seems doomed to fail. I think that's a pretty simplistic way of looking at things.
In fact, I think there's a chance Derek Carr could make the Hall of Fame if he signed with the Jets.
Please stop laughing.
First, the caveat was the Jets told Carr if they made the Super Bowl, he'd be a first ballot Hall of Famer. Let me shift that into saying if they won the Super Bowl, he could be a Hall of Famer. I don't think that's crazy at all.
Carr has been better than people give him credit for. He's only 31 and he's already 32nd all-time in passing yards and 38th in TD's. Obviously, these stats need to be looked at considering the passing heavy era Carr is in. Even considering that, that's a very strong individual start. Without a Super Bowl appearance, I have the same chances of getting a bust in Canton as Carr. He has a lifetime win-loss record of 63-79.
I guess this dream can only exist if you believe (as I do) that outside of the QB position, this Jets team is really good. The Jets fans have had to watch some abysmal QB play since Chad Pennington. Before you shit on Pennington, check out his amazing 2002 season before he got hurt. He was incredible that season.
The current Jets roster is filled with talented players. Just in last year's draft, they got an elite WR (Garrett Wilson) and CB (Sauce Gardner). I haven't loved the results of GM Joe Douglas' tenure but the plan he's enacted has been solid. It made no sense to get a big free agent QB when the rest of the roster was in shambles. But between high drafts picks from years of losing and the Jamal Adams trade, the Jets have an actual path now.
The other great thing about getting Carr (as opposed to Aaron Rodgers) is that he's a free agent. The Jets would be able to keep the 13th overall pick in the draft and load up the roster even more. Obviously in the AFC East, you have to contend with the far superior Bills but the Patriots and Dolphins have some huge question marks. Next year could be a great opportunity for the Jets use the division to propel them to the playoffs.
Back to the original debate: I really think the Jets are only a QB away from being a very good team. If Carr can somehow win a Super Bowl with them, does that make him a Hall Of Famer? It does. Maybe not a "first ballot" like the Jets said but he'd get in. If he can stay healthy for a few more years, he could finish in the Top 10 in both yards and touchdowns. Throw a Super Bowl win in there and I think that's a Hall of Famer. It's a ton of "ifs, ands and buts". Yet, isn't that what the Jets are pitching him?
No one thinks Derek Carr currently has a Hall of Fame resume. Even he can't believe that. But if he comes to the Jets, wins a Super Bowl and plays a half dozen more seasons, I think he gets in. There's already a QB in the HOF that won a Super Bowl with the Jets who also has a career losing record.