The New Orleans Saints were in a peculiar spot heading into the offseason. Derek Carr missed a chunk of the 2024 season, and the year fell apart entirely, as has been par for the course in recent years. However, the team was willing to run it back for at least one more season.
Earlier in the offseason, the Saints tried to once again borrow from the future, a practice they’ve used since the days of Drew Brees, by restructuring Carr’s contract. However, the 34-year-old might now be a major question mark for next season, throwing their plans completely awry.
How Long Could Derek Carr Be Out in 2025?
A team that finished with just five wins in 2024 certainly needed some major changes to alter their fortunes. However, an injury that would potentially put Carr out for the entire 2025 season was probably not on their list of ideas.
In a heartbreaking update from NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Carr’s status is now immediately in jeopardy. “The #Saints suddenly have a major QB question: Starter Derek Carr is now dealing with a shoulder injury that threatens his availability for this season, sources say. Carr is weighing options, including the possibility of surgery,” reported Rapoport on X.
The #Saints suddenly have a major QB question: Starter Derek Carr is now dealing with a shoulder injury that threatens his availability for this season, sources say.
Carr is weighing options, including the possibility of surgery. pic.twitter.com/QNdc9ipE8P
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 11, 2025
Acquiring him after the 2022 season, the Saints have had Carr on the roster for two years, failing to make the playoffs in either one. But they were willing to give it one more shot, with the veteran on the books for another year and a separation in 2026 even more costly.
If he does go under the knife, the expectation is that he will remain out for the entire 2025 season. Already, the rumors of Shedeur Sanders potentially falling toward the end of the top 10 of the 2025 NFL Draft — right into New Orleans’ lap — were making the rounds.
The Saints had quickly become the betting favorites to acquire the Colorado Buffaloes superstar. This update is certainly going to make that situation far more likely. Almost all quarterback options, barring Aaron Rodgers, are off the free agency board.
And with Rodgers continuing to look like a possibility for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it leaves New Orleans exposed at the most important position in the sport. Their primary target now has to shift to Sanders, who, for most of the year, has been considered among the two best quarterbacks available.
But, if the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders doesn’t suffer a draft day slide, the Saints might have to take a swing at some of the other available QBs in the NFL Draft, like Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe, or even Tyler Shough.