Quarterback Derek Carr may have played his final snap for the New Orleans Saints, according to one renowned reporter, who believes the organization would release him if they can’t find a trade partner. Carr, a second-round choice in the 2014 NFL Draft, played nine seasons with the Raiders before joining the Saints before the 2023 season. At the time, General Manager Mickey Loomis believed Carr could improve the squad and return the franchise to the playoffs for the first time since Drew Brees retired.
Unfortunately, that did not materialize, as New Orleans has missed the postseason in each of the previous two seasons. While Carr wasn’t the biggest concern with any Saints team, he wasn’t good enough to deserve his four-year, $150 million contract. The quarterback has previously stated that he will not accept a pay cut, and the Saints are currently $47.1 million above the 2025 salary ceiling. NFL.com’s Matt Okada believes the Saints will release Derek Carr if they are unable to locate a trade partner, but admits that decision may be difficult.
” Designating [Carr] as a post-June 1st cut nets $30 million in savings, with “only” $21.5 million in dead money, which is more manageable – then again, each team can only give that designation to two players per year, and, like Carr, the Saints carrying the next highest cap charges (Cameron Jordan and Taysom Hill) would have to be designated post-June 1 cuts to generate meaningful savings in 2025.
NFL Network: Saints Could Release Derek Carr If No Trade Partner Emerges.
The Saints have kicked the can down the road with an ongoing succession of contract restructures, and they don’t have an easy way out of their current financial situation. On paper, the Saints could release Derek Carr to free up contract space, but it would require keeping either Cameron Jordan or Taysom Hill. Carr is not living up to his deal, but he is a far superior player over Jordan and Hill. Perhaps the Saints will renegotiate Carr’s contract again or simply absorb a big cap charge, but they will most likely try to move him.
According to Okada’s story, New Orleans could save $11.3 million in cap space by trading Derek Carr. The veteran quarterback isn’t an exceptional talent by any means, but he’s a consistent starter who may help a couple teams. Carr finished 14th in EPA/play and eighth in PFF grade last season, while playing in a terrible environment. Given the weak quarterback draft class, the following teams could trade a late-round choice for his services.
Possible Destinations:
The Pittsburgh Steelers desperately need a quarterback. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are free agents, and neither quarterback is skilled enough to elevate this squad to a real contender in 2024. Steelers fans will be unimpressed with the prospect of acquiring another veteran, but given the team’s late draft money and the weak quarterback class, Carr is likely the best option available. Even if he isn’t talented enough to win a Super Bowl, he should help the franchise secure its first playoff victory since 2016.
The New York Giants are in a similar quarterback purgatory. The Daniel Jones era is finally ended, but Brian Daboll’s team lacks a viable backup plan. Perhaps Miami’s Cam Ward slides to the third overall pick, but even if the Giants can acquire him, Daboll may not want to risk his career on an inexperienced rookie. Derek Carr may not be the next Tom Brady, but he should work well with Malik Nabers if the Saints release or trade him.
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