However, after meeting with New Orleans media during the NFL Scouting Combine, the record is being set straight.
All signs are pointing to Carr being the Saints’ starter in 2025.
“I think we feel like we’ve got a guy we can win with and we’re excited about that,” Saints general manager Mickey Loomis told us when asked about Carr.
This came off as a clear commitment to the 11-year veteran being the starter going into the 2025 season. Certainly, things can always change and shift as the NFL offseason is remarkably challenging to predict. But for now, it doesn’t sound like the Saints are looking at going down the road of making a change.
Not only did Loomis give a firm indication of Carr staying, but so did Moore when he referenced the passer as a part of their present.
“I think Derek’s always been a really, really good quarterback in this league,” he said. “And we feel very fortunate to have him a part of this.”
This isn’t the first time the two have been complimentary of Carr’s ability and career. But it is certainly the first time this offseason that a display of dedication was shared publicly.
Keeping Carr does make sense, even though the quarterback’s reputation among fans is embattled. Doing so would allow the Saints to be more active in free agency this offseason because of their ability to restructure his contract. While he has made it clear that he does not intend to take a pay cut, a restructure is usually a team option as it doesn’t cost the player any of their earnings.
So for now, the expectation moving forward should be that Carr will be the starter and that his contract may be a major factor in the team’s ability to build around him on both sides of the ball.
Carr appeared in just 10 games after an injury-riddled season last year. He finished 2024 with a 67.7% completion, 2,145 passing yards, and 15 passing touchdowns to five interceptions. He had a 101.0 passer rating and 63.4 QBR by season’s end.
