Jets' new hire gives them a connection to Derek Carr, Ryan Tannehill

AFC quarterback Derek Carr of the Las Vegas Raiders. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jets' new hire gives them a connection to veteran QBs Derek Carr, Ryan Tannehill

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 2/13/23

If new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett's connection isn't enough to lure Aaron Rodgers to the "Big Apple," perhaps the New York Jets' newest hire can help them land another veteran quarterback.

The #Jets not only helped their offensive staff but… can now be linked to another potentially available QB this offseason.
— Nathaniel Hackett = Aaron Rodgers
— Todd Downing = Ryan Tannehill + Derek Carr
— Robert Saleh = Jimmy Garoppolo https://t.co/N9HRTNH4hS
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 13, 2023

Downing was fired by the Titans after the season, as was OL coach Keith Carter, who is now the Jets' OL coach. Downing worked w/ Nathaniel Hackett previously with the Bills. Saleh said he was going to hire an experienced offensive coach to the staff (not counting OC). Now he has https://t.co/MwDOFSJ7kJ
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) February 13, 2023

It was reported Sunday that the Las Vegas Raiders are expected to release four-time Pro Bowler Derek Carr, while San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said earlier this month that he didn't "see any scenario" where Jimmy Garoppolo returns to the team next season. While Aaron Rodgers' future with the Green Bay Packers remains unclear, first-year Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon said in January that he needed "more time" to assess Ryan Tannehill and the team's quarterback situation.

Tannehill will turn 35 in July and is coming off of a difficult 2022 season where he not only missed five games due to an ankle injury but put up pedestrian numbers when on the field. The one-time Pro Bowler's 65.2% completion percentage was his lowest since 2018 (his final season with the Miami Dolphins) and he recorded 2,536 passing yards with just 13 touchdowns against six interceptions.

Carr will be 32 in March and in 15 games this season, he posted a 60.8% completion percentage (lowest since 2014 rookie season) with 3,522 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He was a replacement for the Pro Bowl Games, which ironically, took place in the Raiders' home state of Nevada.

Having made the playoffs last year, both Tannehill's Titans and Carr's Raiders massively underperformed during the 2022 campaign. Tennessee began the year 7-3 before going on a stunning seven-game losing streak to finish 7-10 and out of the postseason, while Las Vegas dropped four of their final five contests to finish 6-11.

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