The Derek Carr saga is more than just an injury report. It’s a microcosm of the modern NFL—where loyalty is fragile, public perception shifts overnight, and the line between truth and strategy is often blurred
Whether Carr truly is hurt or is simply trying to protect his career interests, the result is the same: the Saints are in quarterback limbo once again.
For a team and fanbase desperate for direction, clarity can’t come soon enough. But in a league where smoke screens are common and agendas often conflict, the truth may remain elusive for a while longer.
The Saints restructuring Derek Carr’s contract wasn’t just a financial decision — it was a declaration. They’re all in on Carr for at least one more season. With a new coach, an upgraded offense, and a clear path forward, Carr has all the tools he needs to succeed.
But make no mistake: the clock is ticking. 2025 is a make-or-break year for both the quarterback and the franchise.
Either Carr returns to form and proves he’s still a franchise-caliber QB — or the Saints begin looking toward the next era.
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Derek Carr’s Uncertain Future with the Saints
Derek Carr entered the 2025 NFL offseason as the expected starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints.
After a rocky first season with the franchise, there was hope that with stability and a full year under his belt, Carr could turn things around and lead the Saints back to playoff contention.
However, those hopes were thrown into disarray following reports of a potential shoulder injury that might require surgery.
What initially appeared to be a straightforward injury story has now turned into a controversial and complex situation, with implications for the Saints’ draft strategy, locker room dynamics, and Carr’s future in the NFL.
The Injury That May Not Be
Initial reports suggested that Carr had sustained a significant shoulder injury, casting doubt over his availability for the upcoming season.
The idea of losing their starting quarterback forced the Saints to consider alternative options, particularly in the 2025 NFL Draft.
For a team looking to remain competitive in the NFC South, the possibility of having to rely on a backup or rookie QB created a sense of urgency.
However, The Athletic’s Diana Russini has cast serious doubt on the legitimacy of Carr’s reported injury. Speaking on her podcast, Russini stated that her sources around the NFL were largely skeptical about the severity of the issue.
“I did have a lot of text messages and conversations over the last few days about the Derek Carr situation,” Russini explained. “And it was very hard for me to find someone in football who said, ‘Oh, Derek’s definitely dealing with a serious shoulder injury.’”
This statement alone was enough to raise eyebrows and shift the narrative from concern to suspicion.
Smoke and Mirrors: A Strategic Move?
Russini went even further, suggesting that the injury news may have been intentionally leaked by Carr’s camp as a strategic maneuver—possibly to influence the Saints’ decision-making in the draft or even engineer a trade.
“Maybe this is Derek Carr looking at the situation going, ‘I don’t want the Kirk Cousins treatment,’” she said. “I don’t want to be your quarterback if you draft a young guy and then it’s basically, ‘When is this guy going to play?’”
In essence, Carr may be trying to avoid being placed in a lame-duck position. The moment a team drafts a highly touted rookie quarterback, the clock begins ticking on the veteran’s tenure.
Carr, who has already experienced a turbulent departure from the Las Vegas Raiders, could be doing everything in his power to avoid a similar situation in New Orleans.
The Saints’ Draft Dilemma
With uncertainty swirling around Carr’s status, the Saints’ front office finds itself in a tricky position.
Do they use an early-round pick on a quarterback, risking locker room tension and potentially losing Carr’s trust? Or do they trust Carr’s ability to rebound and instead use their draft capital to bolster other areas of need?
Publicly, the team has remained tight-lipped, but behind closed doors, executives and coaches are undoubtedly analyzing every angle.
The possibility that Carr’s injury is being used as leverage throws a wrench into an already difficult decision-making process.
If the Saints do draft a quarterback in the early rounds, it could signal a lack of faith in Carr. If they don’t, and Carr’s situation turns out to be worse than initially indicated, they could be left scrambling for a Plan B.
Derek Carr: Social Media Backlash
Unsurprisingly, the developing drama has ignited a firestorm on social media.
NFL fans—especially Saints supporters—have not held back in voicing their opinions, and many are not sympathetic to Carr’s rumored ploy.
“She also said Derek Carr’s team released the information about his shoulder just to spite the Saints and show other teams that they really want a QB. That’s really some he s**,” one fan posted.
“Well, Carr’s a b***h so…,” another fan commented, making their feelings quite clear.
“Dude ain’t no f****n’ Saint…. Worst player in New Orleans history. Thanks DA,” another wrote, taking a shot not just at Carr but at head coach Dennis Allen.
The vitriol continued:
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“Dudes a f****n’ weasel.”
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“Get this f***in’ dude out of here please.”
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“DCarr is close to being the most hated player of all time lmfao, he ain’t do s*** but steal from this city.”
This level of anger suggests that the bridge between Carr and Saints fans is rapidly burning, if it hasn’t already collapsed entirely.
Praying for New Orleans🙏🏼
Woke up and saw the news this morning.— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) January 1, 2025
A History of High Expectations and Letdowns
- Derek Carr arrived in New Orleans with considerable expectations. After a near-decade in Las Vegas (and previously Oakland), Carr was seen as a capable veteran who could offer the Saints much-needed stability following the retirement of Drew Brees and a revolving door of quarterbacks.
- But his 2024 season fell well short of expectations. Turnovers, poor decision-making, and a lack of chemistry with receivers led to multiple frustrating losses.
- While he showed flashes of potential, they were far too inconsistent to win over a passionate and success-starved fan base.
- The possibility that Carr is now manipulating injury narratives to avoid competition or orchestrate a trade is only adding to that sense of betrayal.
- If Carr’s relationship with the Saints is indeed fractured beyond repair, potential trade destinations could include QB-needy teams like the Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, or even the Pittsburgh Steelers—teams with solid rosters that lack a dependable veteran under center.
- However, Carr’s contract could be a sticking point. Any team trading for him would likely want the Saints to absorb some of his salary or offer additional compensation. It’s not a seamless solution, but stranger things have happened in the NFL.
- Russini’s reference to Kirk Cousins is especially notable. Cousins has been a frequent example of a capable yet replaceable quarterback—good enough to win games, but not quite elite enough to be untouchable.
- With Cousins now in Atlanta, the cautionary tale of his time in Minnesota looms large for players like Carr.
- The fear of becoming a bridge quarterback—merely a placeholder until the “real” franchise guy arrives—is a status most veterans dread.
- If Carr believes that’s where he’s headed, this entire episode might just be his attempt to escape that fate.
Also Read: Heather Neel (Derek Carr’s Wife): Bio, Wiki, Age, Career, Net Worth 2023, At Beach and More
Derek Carr and the Saints Reboot in 2025
The New Orleans Saints are ushering in a new era with a familiar face at quarterback.
Despite a turbulent two seasons marred by injuries and inconsistent play, Derek Carr remains the Saints’ QB1 heading into 2025.
This offseason saw not only a change in leadership with the hiring of Kellen Moore as head coach, but also a strategic financial move — the restructuring of Carr’s sizable contract.
Here’s a deeper look into what this means for the quarterback, the team, and the franchise’s direction.
The Arrival: Carr’s Journey to New Orleans
Derek Carr joined the New Orleans Saints in the 2023 offseason after nine seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Saints inked Carr to a four-year, $150 million deal, signaling their commitment to making him the face of the franchise. He was seen as a veteran upgrade, someone who could stabilize the position after the post-Drew Brees shuffle.
Carr came with expectations. The Saints, with a talented roster on both sides of the ball, hoped his experience and leadership could push them into playoff contention. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned.
Two Years of Frustration: Injuries and Inconsistencies
Carr’s time in New Orleans has been anything but smooth. In his debut season with the Saints, he started strong but was quickly derailed by shoulder and rib injuries.
He missed several games, appearing in only 10 contests. His final stat line for the 2024 season: 2,145 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions.
While those numbers aren’t awful, they didn’t live up to the lofty expectations placed on him — especially given his contract.
The Saints offense often looked stagnant, struggling to push the ball downfield and finish drives. Carr’s chemistry with his receivers was inconsistent, and the offensive line issues compounded his struggles.
New Leadership: Kellen Moore Takes the Reins
With back-to-back disappointing seasons, the Saints decided to make a coaching change. In the 2025 offseason, they hired Kellen Moore, the former offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Chargers and Dallas Cowboys, as the new head coach.
Moore is known for his offensive creativity, particularly in designing schemes that maximize quarterback efficiency and get playmakers in space.
His arrival instantly brought questions about Derek Carr’s future — would Moore prefer to bring in a new quarterback to build around, or give Carr another shot under a different system?
Surprisingly to some, Moore backed Carr.
Derek Carr’s Contract Restructuring Explained
In March, the Saints converted most of Carr’s 2025 base salary into a signing bonus.
This maneuver spread out his cap hit over the remaining years of the deal, giving the team immediate financial relief. According to reports, this restructuring freed up over $23 million in cap space for the 2025 season.
Restructuring Carr’s contract wasn’t just a cap-saving move — it was a commitment. By converting salary to bonus money, the Saints essentially locked Carr into the roster for at least another year, ensuring he remains the starting quarterback under Kellen Moore.
The financial maneuvering also allowed the Saints to be more active in free agency, addressing roster needs without having to cut key contributors.
A Chance to Reclaim His Career
With a new offensive-minded head coach and a front office showing renewed faith, Derek Carr has a golden opportunity to revitalize his career.
While his stint in New Orleans has been underwhelming thus far, the upcoming season offers a fresh start in a more quarterback-friendly system.
Moore’s offensive scheme — which emphasizes tempo, pre-snap motion, and creative passing concepts — could play to Carr’s strengths.
Known for his quick release and intermediate accuracy, Carr may finally have a system designed to showcase his best traits.
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Supporting Cast: The Weapons Around Carr
Carr isn’t expected to carry the offense alone. The Saints have built a capable supporting cast, including standout wide receiver Chris Olave, versatile running back Alvin Kamara, and emerging tight end Juwan Johnson.
If these weapons can stay healthy — and the offensive line holds up — Carr will be in a position to succeed.
The addition of a few free agent linemen and another slot receiver this offseason suggests the Saints are building around Carr, not replacing him. And with Moore calling the plays, the offense should look far more dynamic than it did in 2024.
Risk and Reward: The Gamble of Restructuring
While restructuring Carr’s contract provided immediate benefits, it wasn’t without risk. If Carr struggles again or suffers another injury, the Saints could be on the hook for significant dead money.
Restructuring essentially kicked the financial burden down the road — a common move for teams in win-now mode.
Still, the Saints weighed the risk and decided that giving Carr one more season under a new coach was worth the gamble. It’s a short-term solution that could pay off in a big way — or create bigger questions down the road.
Despite his struggles, Carr remains respected in the locker room. Teammates have praised his leadership, preparation, and toughness. In a league where quarterback turnover is common, having a stable presence at the position can’t be underestimated.
With Moore now steering the ship, Carr has a renewed sense of purpose — and something to prove.
Also Read: Derek Carr: Will The Raiders Trade Keep Him or Release Him? Age, Height, Weight, Career And More
