After an abysmal 2024 campaign that saw them finish 5-12, the New Orleans Saints need immediate upgrades. Their struggles last season earned them the No. 9 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, prime real estate for a team that could be eyeing a quarterback of the future.
With prospects like Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward potentially available, speculation has grown about whether the Saints might hit the reset button under center.
But if general manager Mickey Loomis’ latest comments are any indication, Derek Carr isn’t going anywhere — at least not yet.
Loomis Reaffirms Derek Carr as Saints’ Starter in 2025
Despite the growing conversation around the Saints drafting a quarterback, Loomis made it clear that Carr remains their guy heading into next season. While speaking to reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine, he expressed confidence in the veteran QB.
“I think we feel like we’ve got a guy we can win with,” Loomis said. “We’re excited about it.”
His remarks provided a firmer endorsement than what was given during Kellen Moore’s introductory press conference two weeks prior. At the time, Moore, the Saints’ new offensive coordinator, praised Carr’s skill set but stopped short of naming him the definitive starter for 2025. That uncertainty left room for speculation about whether the Saints were keeping their options open at quarterback.
Carr’s Future in New Orleans Still Comes With Questions
While the Saints are backing Carr publicly, his contract looms as a major obstacle for a team already pressed against the salary cap. With a staggering $51.4 million cap hit in 2025, New Orleans will need to restructure his deal just to create room for other offseason moves. A full restructure could free up nearly $31 million this year but would balloon Carr’s cap hit to around $69 million in 2026 — an astronomical number for a quarterback who has yet to lead the Saints to the playoffs.
“Yeah, it’s tight,” Loomis admitted regarding the team’s financial flexibility. “There’s no secret to that, and his is a big number, so we’re going to hopefully be able to maneuver.”
The Saints may not be in a position to outright replace Carr, but the financial side of his contract makes his long-term future uncertain. If New Orleans does draft a quarterback at No. 9, it wouldn’t necessarily mean Carr’s time is up, but it would put him on notice for babysitting duty.
For now, the Saints appear committed to Carr as their starter. But in the NFL, “commitment” is often temporary, and the decisions made in the coming months could dictate how much longer he holds onto QB1 status in New Orleans.