The New Orleans Saints are making some strategic moves with quarterback Derek Carr’s contract that could have long-term implications for both the team and the player. By restructuring Carr’s deal, they’ve effectively tied him to New Orleans through 2025, but the door for a potential trade remains ajar, hinging on whether Carr opts to waive his no-trade clause.
This is not just a simple reworking of numbers; it’s a fascinating play in the ongoing chess game of NFL contracts. Numerous teams have been keeping an eye on this situation, waiting to see if the Saints would consider releasing Carr instead. Had New Orleans opted for that route, it would have been contingent on Carr passing a physical due to a late-season hand injury. By not going that route, they avoided the $30 million in guaranteed injury pay for 2025.
Instead, they decided to take the $40 million hit, reducing Carr’s annual salary to a mere $1.255 million, and converting the rest into guaranteed money. This not only keeps Carr on the team but also creates interesting dynamics for his future, particularly with the draft coming up.
As the Saints navigate a rebuilding phase, they’re likely looking to take a step back in free agency, which raises the question: if 2025 is destined to be Carr’s final season in New Orleans, wouldn’t it make sense to explore trade options and stockpile future picks? The current market for veteran quarterbacks is fluid, and depending on how the draft unfolds, there could be teams in need of a reliable starter heading into 2025.
If the Saints do consider a trade, they’ll want to make the most of it. Trading Carr would essentially hand a new team a one-year deal at the veteran minimum. And as many teams know, cash can translate into valuable draft-pick compensation.
It’s worth noting that a pre-June 1 trade would incur a hefty cap charge of $79 million. However, if they wait until after June 1, the 2025 cap charge would significantly decrease to $19.2 million, although it would also create a dead-money hit of $60 million for 2026. That dead money would linger regardless of what moves the Saints make this year.
For now, it’s a situation to keep an eye on. As the draft approaches, we’ll want to review the shifting quarterback landscape and depth charts across the league. The possibility of Carr donning a different jersey by 2025 is very real, and how the next few weeks unfold will undoubtedly shape that narrative.
