Carolina Panthers coach Frank Reich. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers HC Frank Reich discusses Derek Carr meeting

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated Mar 1, 2023 3:25 PM ET

Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich discussed his recent meeting with free-agent quarterback Derek Carr on Wednesday at the NFL Combine.

Panthers HC Frank Reich says meeting with free agent QB Derek Carr “went well” noting “there’s still a good five-year window.” He says Carr is an option who checks a lot of boxes but every option on the table including the Draft.

Reich says they met with 5 QB prospects in Indy. pic.twitter.com/mmscvHtYAc
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) March 1, 2023

Pointing out that Derek Carr is 32, Frank Reich says he’s still in his “prime” and mentioned a five-year window if Carr is the choice.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) March 1, 2023

Frank Reich: “This is a huge decision. It would be malpractice” not to go through every option at QB - free agent, trade up, trade down. pic.twitter.com/ynNFmXalXL
— Joe Person (@josephperson) March 1, 2023

Of note, ESPN's David Newton reported Wednesday morning that the Panthers had had preliminary discussions with representatives of quarterback Sam Darnold, who made 11 starts with the team during the 2021 season and six during the 2022 campaign.

Carolina general manager Scott Fitterer also talked about the meeting with Carr, and the team's overall quarterback philosophy.

“In an ideal world, you do want to draft one… if you have conviction on a guy you go get him.”

Panthers GM Scott Fitterer says focus is “to fix QB position moving forward not just put a patch on it.” CAR has gone different veteran QB the last few years. Doing HW on all options. pic.twitter.com/vzGjCSSrrT
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) March 1, 2023

Panthers GM Scott Fitterer said he plans to chat with Derek Carr again over the phone on Monday once they get past much of their QB prospect evaluation this week.

Carolina had met with QBs Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, Anthony Richardson, Will Levis, Hendon Hooker and Max Duggan.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) March 1, 2023

Reich is entering his first season at the helm of the Panthers after being fired by the Indianapolis Colts following Week 9 of the 2022 season.

It was reported last week that Carr is seeking a new contract with an average annual salary of $35 million or more.

In 15 contests during the 2022 campaign, the four-time Pro Bowler posted the lowest completion percentage since his rookie season (60.8%) and matched last year's career high of 14 interceptions, despite playing in two fewer games.

Carr was released by the Las Vegas Raiders on Feb. 14 after he declined to waive his no-trade clause with the team.

Victor Barbosa

Victor Barbosa is a passionate follower of MLB, the NBA and NFL, with a deep interest in Boston-area teams. He graduated from Springfield College -- The Birthplace of Basketball -- in 2013 with a degree in Communications-Sports Journalism. Previous bylines include FanSided, Heavy and Syracuse

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