The New Orleans Saints face a critical decision this offseason regarding quarterback Derek Carr, who carries a massive $51.458 million cap hit for the 2025 season. With the team entering a rebuild and a new head coach soon to be named, Carr’s future is pivotal in shaping the Saints’ direction. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk recently highlighted Carr’s stance on his contract, stating he is unwilling to take a pay cut but is open to a restructuring. This statement adds another layer of complexity to an already challenging situation.
Carr’s Current Contract Situation
When the Saints signed Carr in 2023 after his release from the Las Vegas Raiders, the deal was structured as a two-year guarantee with options for the future. Heading into 2025, Carr is set to earn a $30 million salary that becomes fully guaranteed on the third day of the new league year in March, along with a $10 million roster bonus.
If Carr’s hand injury, which caused him to miss the season’s final stretch, hasn’t healed by that point, the Saints could be on the hook for the full $40 million guaranteed amount. Cutting Carr with a post-June 1 designation would spread his dead cap charges across two seasons, with $11.458 million hitting in 2025 and $28.674 million in 2026.
Carr’s Stance: Restructure, Not a Pay Cut
In his remarks, Carr made it clear he is not willing to take a pay cut:
“I wouldn’t take a pay cut. Yeah, I wouldn’t do that. Especially with what I put on tape… Would I restructure? Absolutely. I’ll always help the team that way.”
Carr’s position is understandable from a player’s perspective. Quarterbacks are among the most physically taxed players in the NFL, and Carr has already signed a deal that reflects what he believes he’s earned. However, this stance complicates the Saints’ financial flexibility as they look to rebuild and address glaring roster weaknesses.
The Case for Keeping Carr
- Stability at Quarterback
Carr provides stability at the quarterback position that has been elusive for the Saints since Drew Brees’ retirement. While his performance in 2024 was uneven, much of it can be attributed to injuries to key offensive contributors like Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Alvin Kamara. - Transition Plan Under a New Head Coach
A new head coach may prefer a veteran quarterback like Carr to ease the transition while the team evaluates younger talent or develops a rookie quarterback. - Restructuring Options
Restructuring Carr’s contract, which he is open to, could significantly reduce his 2025 cap hit while providing the Saints with much-needed financial breathing room.
The Case for Moving On
- Cap Relief
With a $51.458 million cap hit looming, cutting Carr would provide long-term relief, even if it means absorbing dead money. The Saints are already in a precarious cap situation and need to prioritize flexibility for a rebuild. - Finding a Long-Term Answer
Carr is 33 and unlikely to be a 10-year solution at quarterback. Moving on would allow the Saints to invest in a younger quarterback through the draft or free agency and align their signal-caller’s timeline with the rebuild. - New Regime, New Direction
The Saints’ incoming head coach will likely want to shape the roster in their image. If Carr doesn’t fit their vision or scheme, retaining him at such a high cost makes little sense.
What Should the Saints Do?
The decision boils down to balancing short-term needs with long-term goals. If the Saints view Carr as a viable bridge quarterback, restructuring his contract may be the best path forward. This approach would allow the team to retain a capable starter while exploring long-term options through the draft.
However, if the new head coach sees Carr as a poor fit or if the team decides to commit fully to a rebuild, moving on becomes a logical choice. Cutting Carr post-June 1 would ease the financial burden while allowing the Saints to turn the page and focus on developing younger talent.
Reaction to Carr’s Comments
Carr’s unwillingness to take a pay cut is understandable but highlights the financial challenges the Saints face. While his openness to restructuring is positive, whether this will provide the team with enough cap relief to address other roster needs remains to be seen.
Ultimately, Carr’s future in New Orleans is a decision that will define the Saints’ offseason. Whether he stays, restructures, or is moved, the team’s handling of his contract will be a key indicator of their strategy for the 2025 season and beyond.
Derek Carr’s future with the Saints hinges on a complex web of financial, performance, and leadership considerations. While Carr’s optimism about staying is encouraging, the team’s new head coach and front office must carefully weigh the pros and cons. As the March deadline approaches, all eyes will be on New Orleans to see how they navigate one of the most significant decisions of their offseason.
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Lawrence Epps Jr
January 14, 2025 at 11:14 am
The signing of Derek CarrWreck and his subsequent extension has been part of a series of bad player/personnel decisions made by the Saints front office over the past 5 years. Bad drafts, free agent and coaching decisions have landed the franchise in a position where it will take bold, decisive, corrective action to have any chance of turning things around in a 3-4 year timeframe. Letting Carr go as a post-June 1st cut would be one of those moves. Carr was a placeholder from the beginning and as it turns out, a pretty poor one. Keeping a guy who is skittish in the pocket and who is mediocre at his very best around while you try to rebuild your offensive line and your defense is not going to work. Let him go and invest in trying to develop Rattler to see what he can become. While you’re at it, cut Jake from State Farm and bring in somebody like Teddy Bridgewater who can be a positive mentor backup for a young QB.