Henderson, Nev. -- Now that Derek Carr has been cut by the only NFL team, the veteran quarterback never knows, where do the Las Vegas Raiders go from here?
Those waters haven't been navigated recently by the franchise, which has kept Carr as the primary starter since winning the job as a rookie in training camp in 2014. Consider: Carr has missed two regular-season games and one playoff game since the injury
Carr was replaced by Matt McGloin in the 2016 Finals after breaking his right ankle and EJ Manuel in Week 5 of the 2017 season after Carr broke his back. And Connor Cook started the 2016 wild-card round playoff game in Houston while Carr recovered from surgery.
So while these are choppy waters for the Raiders, their compass will point to one of two destinations -- land them Moby Dick, a high-priced, future Hall of Famer who comes with his own baggage, or play it safe and sign to look to the future. Someone who knows the time system.
A Moby Dick prospect was Tom Brady, who was about to become a free agent. He retired instead, forcing the Raiders to pivot.
So, yes, Aaron Rodgers is now the Big Whale, which was back in 2005 when the Raiders drafted cornerback Fabian Washington at No. 23, one pick ahead of Rodgers, who went to the Green Bay Packers.
Acquiring Rodgers, who is also reportedly a target by the New York Jets, would be expensive. And not just among draft capital and/or established players.
According to numerous reports, Green Bay could acquire a first-round and conditional third-round pick that could turn into a second-rounder. The Packers were reportedly interested in tight end Darren Waller at the trade deadline last season.
The option can be exercised by the Packers anytime between March 15, the first day of the 2023 league year, and the day before the Packers' first game of the season.