Carr’s Shoulder Injury and Possible Surgery
According to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, surgery is not yet a certainty, but the possibility is real. If Carr does end up needing surgery, it could sideline him for a significant portion — if not all — of the upcoming 2025 NFL season. That kind of absence could have serious ripple effects for the Saints, potentially ushering in a forced rebuild that the franchise has been trying to delay for years.
The injury raises the stakes of this year’s draft. While the Saints have been conducting thorough evaluations of this year’s quarterback class, they hadn’t been projected to take a QB in the first round. Now, with Carr’s health in doubt, they may be reconsidering their approach with the No. 9 overall pick.
Contract Complications and Cap Concerns
Derek Carr’s situation is further complicated by his contract status. The Saints recently restructured his deal, which lowered his 2025 cap hit to $20.5 million — a manageable figure for a starting quarterback. This restructuring signaled the team’s commitment to Carr, at least for this season. But things get much murkier beyond 2025.
Looking ahead, Carr is set to carry a $69.2 million cap hit in 2026, an unsustainable number unless the team makes another significant restructure. But doing so would balloon the already-massive $40.5 million in dead money that the Saints are set to carry in 2027.
The Saints are in a cap crunch, and Carr’s uncertain status only exacerbates that situation. Extending him isn’t currently on the table — not until there’s some clarity around the condition of his throwing shoulder.
New Coaching Staff, Old Questions
The quarterback uncertainty also comes as the team transitions under new head coach Kellen Moore, who was hired this offseason. Carr’s absence from voluntary workouts, while not unusual for an injured player, has not gone unnoticed. According to Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune, Carr did not report to the start of the Saints’ offseason program. Combined with his January remarks where he firmly rejected the idea of taking a pay cut, it paints an increasingly complex picture of Carr’s place in New Orleans moving forward.
Draft Implications: Could the Saints Go QB at No. 9?
The potential for Carr to miss time — or even struggle to return to form post-injury — is already having ripple effects in the Saints’ front office. If Carr is sidelined for a large portion of the season, the Saints will need a quarterback ready to step in. That may be influencing how they evaluate their draft board.
While some insiders believe New Orleans would prefer to stick with a best-player-available approach at No. 9, the quarterback question now looms too large to ignore. Even if Carr doesn’t miss significant time, the team may still want to start grooming a long-term successor, given both the financial and health risks tied to him.
What’s Next for Carr and the Saints?
For now, everything remains speculative. Surgery hasn’t been confirmed, and Carr could still be on the field in September. But even if he does play, the long-term picture is increasingly uncertain.
This injury could be a turning point for the Saints. Either they double down on Carr and hope he can return to full strength — or they face the harsh reality that it’s time to start preparing for life without him.
Whether this shoulder issue is just a temporary setback or the beginning of the end of Carr’s tenure in New Orleans, one thing is clear: the Saints are at a crossroads, and the 2025 NFL Draft may be their first step down a new path.
Would you like a breakdown of quarterback prospects the Saints might consider at No. 9, or a cap analysis of potential exit options from Carr’s contract?
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