The proposed trade reunites the Raiders’ $32 million Pro Bowler with Derek Carr

Hunter Renfrow has had a difficult two years with the Las Vegas Raiders, and his stint with the team may be coming to an end soon. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Renfrow came close to being moved to the New Orleans Saints before the 2023 NFL trade deadline, but the deal fell through.

Given that the Raiders have already tried to deal the former Pro Bowl wide receiver, there’s a potential they’ll try again this summer. Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine proposed a trade that would send Renfrow to the Saints in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2024.

“The Raiders would still be on the hook for $5.5 million if they trade Renfrow next season, leaving the $8.2 million left on his $13.7 million cap hit for the team that trades for him,” Ballentine wrote in his column on the 13th of December. “However, it wouldn’t be difficult for the Saints to add some void years to accommodate the move.”

“It would give them another receiver with established chemistry with Derek Carr while giving the Raiders a draft pick for an overpriced player that they haven’t really included in their game plans this year.”

Renfrow received a $32 million contract deal from the Raiders last year, but he hasn’t been playing well. He has only 25 catches for 255 yards this season, and a change of scenery may be beneficial to all parties.

Hunter Renfrow’s Best Years Weren’t With Derek Carr

Derek Carr has had a difficult first season in New Orleans. Despite having a lot of talent on offense, the Saints are only averaging 21.9 points per game, which ranks 15th in the NFL. Perhaps adding a player who has had a lot of success with Carr is one way they can strengthen this offense next season.

Hunter Renfrow enjoyed his best seasons under Carr, including a Pro Bowl appearance in 2021 with 103 catches for 1,038 yards. Carr has struggled to play consistently for the Saints and has had some disagreements with teammates. Bringing back a former teammate with whom he previously had success could be beneficial both on the field and in the locker room. A sixth-round pick isn’t a bad deal for a former Pro Bowl wide out.

Champ Kelly Has a Chance to Retain His GM Position

Interim GM Champ Kelly was a member of the front office that extended Hunter Renfrow and then attempted to move him. Renfrow is expected to be traded if he is able to keep his full-time employment following the season.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Kelly’s odds of keeping the job are good.

“This week’s NFL owners meetings in Dallas feature a front office accelerator program of more than 40 minority executives from around the league,” Fowler wrote in a December 13 essay. “Ran Carthon became the program’s first GM when he was hired by the Titans in January 2023, and the league is hoping for more future general managers from the group.

” It already has one in the form of Champ Kelly, the Raiders’ interim general manager. And other league insiders believe Kelly has a good chance of keeping the job indefinitely. He was a finalist for the same position two years ago and has been the assistant general manager there since 2022.”