By Ross Jackson
What began as injury concern has now spiraled into full-blown uncertainty for Derek Carr and the New Orleans Saints. With new reports suggesting Carr may still want out of New Orleans, the weekend turmoil around the veteran quarterback shows no signs of slowing down.
The Saints are going to be turning their short-term focus to the NFL Draft in the coming days and weeks, but then it wouldn’t be surprising to see things ramp back up in terms of Carr’s future with the team.
League sources have made it apparent to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini that the lingering shoulder injury that could require surgery and cost Carr his 2025 season may actually be extravagant trade bait. How a shoulder injury makes you more likely to be traded, I’m not quite sure. However, if the Saints were able to find a trade partner, getting a deal done doesn’t seem far from reality at the moment.
One team that could be in the mix would be the Cleveland Browns. While the team did bring in a pair of veterans this offseason in former Pittsburgh Steelers first-rounder Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco, neither options are particularly inspiring.
The team took a massive risk on quarterback Deshaun Watson and his 24 lawsuits alleging sexual assault and battery of more than 20 women. So, it’s unlikely that a forceful push away from one organization would make Cleveland run away screaming.
Should the Browns elect to draft either Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter or Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter with the No. 2 overall selection, they may still end up being in the market for a starting quarterback. Though they could still land a young passer at the top of the second round, more than likely.
But if Cleveland leaves this year’s draft without a top passer from the class, and the Saints and Carr look to part ways, the match could be an easy one.
The Browns would pick up just over $1 million of salary in exchange for what would likely be a day three pick. It would give Carr a chance to start fresh when he’s healthy, while allowing the Saints to officially move on from the past and embrace a new era. With Kellen Moore at the helm, the team could handpick a quarterback in this year’s draft, roll with Spencer Rattler, or look ahead to 2026.
Things are starting to look a little ugly around the Carr and Saints relationship. Before things get too explosive, getting a deal done after June 1 when New Orleans could defer some of the ensuing dead cap costs might be a way for everyone to get a fresh start.
