Saints Restructure Derek Carr’s Contract, But His Future in New Orleans Remains Uncertain
On Saturday evening, news broke that the New Orleans Saints had restructured quarterback Derek Carr’s contract. The move is expected to save the team up to $30 million in cap space for the upcoming season, but it comes with a hefty price tag down the line—Carr’s cap hit in 2026 is projected to be around $69 million, according to ESPN’s Kat Terrell.
Before this restructuring, the Saints had the option to part ways with Carr this offseason. Releasing him outright would have resulted in a $50 million cap hit, while a post-June 1st designation would have allowed them to spread the financial burden over two years. However, such a decision would have left little flexibility to sign free agents, forcing the team to restructure nearly every contract on the books.
This latest cap maneuver is yet another instance of the Saints “kicking the can down the road”—a strategy that made sense when they had a Hall of Fame quarterback in Drew Brees and a Super Bowl-caliber roster. But with the current state of the team, many fans are questioning whether it’s still the right approach.
From Warm Welcome to Divisive Figure
Carr’s arrival in New Orleans ahead of the 2023 season was met with enthusiasm. Fans welcomed him with open arms, and his early interactions with the city made headlines—including a lighthearted moment when he experienced his first power outage and turned to social media for advice.
“So… first power outage before I could get our generator hooked up in New Orleans, lol. Does anybody want to help?” Carr posted on Twitter/X, to which many locals responded with, “Welcome to New Orleans!” and offers of assistance.
However, his standing with fans quickly became more complicated. One of his first notable moments in New Orleans was his infamous comment during his introductory press conference about choosing Chipotle over the city’s renowned cuisine.
“When we got here, with all the great food, the first place we went to was Chipotle because we didn’t know anything,” Carr admitted.
While that remark was laughed off at the time, his on-field struggles and reported tensions in the locker room soon began to wear on fans and teammates alike.
Locker Room Friction and On-Field Struggles
Carr’s first season in New Orleans was marred by inconsistency, injuries, and friction with teammates. One of the most publicized incidents came when former Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas took a shot at Carr on social media. After a poorly thrown pass led to then-rookie Chris Olave taking a hard hit, Thomas called out Carr on Twitter/X.
“Dude tried to lie and say I was jealous of them making Chris WR1 the whole time he can’t even get him a decent ball. He needs his *** whooped,” Thomas posted.
That wasn’t the only tense moment. In 2023, Carr was also caught on camera yelling at Olave after the two failed to connect on a deep pass, further fueling speculation about chemistry issues within the offense.
Injuries also plagued Carr throughout the season. He battled a concussion, bruised ribs, and a sprained AC joint that he aggravated twice. In 2024, another injury sidelined him after attempting to hurdle a defender for a first down—an effort that would be his last play of the season.
A Growing Divide in the Fan Base
Beyond his on-field struggles, Carr’s absence from New Orleans following the New Year’s Day tragedy and his decision to represent the city at the Super Bowl reportedly did not sit well with some fans.
While the Saints’ long-term plans for Carr remain unclear, his hefty contract and mounting criticism make his future in New Orleans uncertain. For now, he will be under center for the 2025 season, but if tensions between him and the fan base continue, the Superdome may not be as full as usual on game days.
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