The New Orleans Saints will face a tough decision this offseason. They could look to move Derek Carr in a potential trade, or they can keep him as a starting option for 2025.
In Week 14, Carr suffered a broke non-throwing hand. The injury is expected to force him to miss some time, but it is not considered a long-term injury, according to Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi. That's notable for the future of Carr in black and gold.
Carr's contract
If the Saints QB fails a physical by March 17th, 2025, an additional $30 million will become guaranteed on Carr's contract for 2025.
Accordingly, it may make a ton of sense for New Orleans to shut him down for the rest of this season.
Their playoff chances are quite slim, and they won't want to risk further injury to Carr. If he was to suffer another major injury that would hinder him in the Spring, the Saints would be backed into a monetary and contractual corner.
Carr's current 2025 salary cap hit is projected at $51.4 million. If the Saints keep him on the roster, expect them to renegotiate to lower that number for next season.
Rizzi says that Carr won't go on injured reserve yet, but it's tough to see a route for him to return this season if New Orleans wants to be careful. Plus, keep in mind that the Saints will hold a coaching search in the offseason.
Whoever they hire, that coach will have a strong effect on whether the Saints keep Carr in the building as their starting quarterback or not.
Carr has dealt with a similar situation like this one before as well. The Raiders shut him down at the end of his tenure in silver and black in order to avoid injury that would've affected his potential earnings with the organization in the following offseason.
The New York Giants made a similar decision with Daniel Jones earlier this season, before cutting ties with him.
Regardless, we will see if the Saints decide to look at the long-term for both the QB and their offseason plans with this choice to bring Carr back or not.
