A new chapter is beginning for the New Orleans Saints under head coach Kellen Moore, but that transition may come with some major roster shakeups.
As is tradition in New Orleans, the team faces a tight salary cap situation, and some fan-favorite players – including quarterback Derek Carr and defensive lineman Cameron Jordan – could be on the chopping block.
The Saints must decide quickly on Carr’s future, as keeping or cutting him could have significant financial implications.
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Carr’s contract structure makes him a potential cap casualty.
“Quarterback Derek Carr is set to make $40 million this season,” Graziano wrote. “Of that, $10 million is already guaranteed, and the remaining $30 million becomes guaranteed in mid-March. His cap number is over $51 million. To knock that down, the Saints might need to extend him, but they could save $30 million on this year’s cap if they made him a post-June 1 cut.”
With Moore now at the helm, the Saints could opt to move on from Carr and look for a fresh start at quarterback. (There are many Saints fans who are hoping that happens.)
Another difficult decision looms regarding longtime defensive leader Cameron Jordan. The 36-year-old has been a cornerstone of the Saints’ defense for over a decade, but his contract poses a financial challenge for the team.
“Also worth watching is the situation with Cameron Jordan, who’s a beloved longtime Saint and has told me he wants to finish his career in New Orleans,” Graziano added. “Jordan turns 36 in July, has one year left on his contract and is carrying a cap number of roughly $20 million for 2025.
“Is there an extension that makes sense for Jordan? And if not, is it possible they make him a post-June 1 cut to save $11 million on this year’s cap. Some hard and potentially painful decisions lie ahead for New Orleans.”
If the Saints decide to part ways with both Carr and Jordan, it would mark a significant shift for a franchise looking to retool under Moore’s leadership.
If New Orleans does move on from Carr, speculation has already begun about who might replace him. One bold possibility? Four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers.
According to Nick Igbokwe of Sportskeeda, the Saints could be an intriguing landing spot for the future Hall of Famer, who the New York Jets have decided to move on from.
“Aaron Rodgers is a four-time MVP and one of the most (if not the most) accurate QBs in the game’s history,” Igbokwe wrote. “Rodgers is fresh off two disappointing seasons with the New York Jets and he’ll be a free agent ahead of the 2025 regular season.
“A change of scenery and coaching from a Super Bowl-winning offensive guru might be what Rodgers needs to get back to his best. His addition would be a marquee one for the Saints, even if he’s at the tail end of his first-ballot Hall of Fame career.”
With Moore taking over and big names potentially on the move, the Saints are poised for a major transformation.
If the team does part ways with Carr and Jordan, it would signal a full reset, and the possibility of a high-profile quarterback acquisition like Rodgers could make things even more interesting.
The next few months will be crucial in shaping the future of the Saints as they navigate financial constraints and look to reestablish themselves as NFC contenders.
What do you think will end up happening in New Orleans???
