By Ross Jackson
While conversations around the New Orleans Saints future at head coach continue to intensify, the byproduct of such a move needs to be discussed, as well. Typically speaking, when a new head coach is appointed to a franchise, they bring with them more than just ideas and philosophy. They tend to bring along staff members with which they are comfortable and, in many cases, the pursuit of a quarterback that fits the mold.
Saints quarterback Derek Carr is under contract for at least one more year with New Orleans. He technically has a 2026 season built in as well, but with a $50 million non-guaranteed base salary, that year was never meant to be lived out.
Carr’s 2025 cap hit is set to be over $51 million with just over $21 million unavoidable. $11.4 million is already on the books thanks to prorated signing bonuses/restructures and an additional $10 million roster bonus was already guaranteed in March of 2024. Another $30 million in salary (his full base salary) will become solidified if he remains on the roster going into the 2025 league year.
That’s a tricky situation to navigate, especially with a no-trade clause also in effect.
Saints Sources have told LouisianaSports.Net in the past that the organization does not feel that they are tied to Carr because of the restructure they applied to his deal before the 2024 season. However, the amount of guarantees set to kick in could be the real difference-maker here.
There is a strong chance that, unless they turn things around rather miraculously, the Saints will be headed in a series of new directions this offseason. In that case, however, a change at quarterback may have to be done at a later time. The Saints’ best option, unless Carr is willing to agree to a trade before his guarantees set in, may be to restructure his contract once more and prepare for the future at the position over another season.
Restructuring the veteran quarterback’s contract is less than ideal from a “kick the can down the road” standpoint. But it may be the most cost-effective decision they have when the time comes. Doing so would allow them to save around $30 million from their $62 million overage set for 2025. That’s a massive savings against their situation.
Going this route could give another year of development to young passers Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. But could also open the door to work on developing a new option, one appointed by the potential new head coach or coaching staff.
The 2025 NFL Draft may have a couple of day-one starters at quarterback. But the likelihood is that it won’t be many. Some fear it will be similar to the 2022 quarterback draft class, but with better top-end talent at least.
New Orleans currently holds the No. 6 overall selection in the upcoming draft and therefore could be in striking distance to land an impressive and promising prospect. There is also a lot of potential in mid-round quarterbacks like Penn State’s Drew Allar they could take a swing on as well.
The restructure to Carr, who has done good work helping Rattler and Haener continue to grow, could allow him to take on the 2025 rebuild year and help to mentor and develop another young passing option. While this coaching staff may be high on the young guys in the building, if there are changes in leadership, those opinions could waiver. Or at least another competitor could enter the conversation that is a prize of the new staff’s eye. The NFL is both fast-moving and unforgiving, especially in its failures at fostering young signal callers.
The next wrinkle then becomes a simple one to navigate. The organization, in this hypothetical, would offer another year of Carr with a cleaner salary, a high draft pick, an improving (though imperfect) cap situation and the potential to work with a young passer the new hire likes. That is assuming the new hire has a preference, though they often do.
Would top-flight candidates like Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores go for that? That would be on the Saints to sell. But beyond anyone’s preference, it may be the cleanest and most efficient way to move into their next era. That is, if they are willing to, or left no choice but to, embrace one.
